Cantonment OC withdrawn following 'police can't do anything' audio goes viral

Md. Rakibul Hasan has been removed from his post as Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Dhaka's Cantonment Police Station following the viral leak of an audio recording featuring comments about Sheikh Hasina's potential return to Bangladesh.

He was withdrawn on Thursday by order of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner.

Although the official order cited "administrative reasons," police sources confirmed that the leaked audio was the primary trigger, with multiple sources verifying that the voice in the recording belongs to Rakibul.

According to the order signed by DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmad, Rakibul Hasan has been attached to the Central Reserve Office of the DMP Headquarters and Administration Division with immediate effect.

Rakibul Hasan did not respond to multiple phone calls or text messages requesting comment.

The audio recording began circulating on social media on Wednesday night, featuring a person identifying as the OC criticizing the government, administration, and police force.

Key Content from the Audio

In the recording, the voice identified as Rakibul can be heard saying: "I know Sheikh Hasina is coming in December. Nothing will happen if she returns, nothing at all. You cannot even imagine how weak the street police are. Terribly weak. She should come. December is too late; she should have come this month. If she comes, this police force won't be able to do anything."

The speaker further added: "Senior officers are all supporting BNP. We aren't supporting BNP. All the seniors are doing BNP, but we didn't join the department for this. You guys enjoy yourselves while we sit here and do the work—that won't stand."

The audio also included corruption allegations regarding police postings and transfers, claiming a driver for a senior official was taking bribes: "Is this tolerable? What more can I say? Those getting postings are paying money, and by morning, they get posted."

Directing criticism at that senior officer, the voice said: "He should be ashamed. He didn't even have a job. In his current position, he could easily make 100 crore taka in a year."

The speaker recounted performing tasks for senior officers while alleging that one official took 1 crore taka: "This is the situation! How can one serve like this? Incompetent people are placed in high positions while competent ones are pushed into corners."