Additional Deputy Inspector General (Additional DIG) of Police Abdullah Al Zahir has been temporarily suspended following a raid at his rented house in Khilkhet, Dhaka, where drugs were seized and dozens of people were detained during an alleged DJ party.
He has also been attached to the Police Special Training School in Betbunia, Rangamati.
The suspension was announced in an official notification issued on Saturday (October 31) by the Police-1 Branch of the Public Security Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The notification was signed by Senior Secretary of the ministry, Manzur Morshed Chowdhury.
Details of the Raid
According to the notification, on October 19, a team from the North Division of the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) conducted a raid at Abdullah Al Zahir’s house in the Police Housing Residential Area under Vatara Police Station.
The DB said an illegal drug consumption session and DJ party were taking place inside the house.
During the operation, police seized cannabis, yaba tablets, alcohol and equipment used for yaba consumption. Reports published in various media outlets and on social media said that a total of 85 people, including 26 women, were detained.
Police Image Damaged
The Home Ministry’s notification stated that the incident had created a negative public perception of the police and severely damaged the image of Bangladesh Police.
It described such activities as contrary to professional conduct, indicative of incompetence and inconsistent with departmental rules and discipline.
Under Rule 12(1) of the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018, Abdullah Al Zahir’s suspension was made effective from October 25.
He will receive subsistence allowance during the period of suspension, in accordance with the applicable rules.
House Rented Through Airbnb
Reports indicate that the police official had rented out the house through Airbnb.
Amid public criticism and controversy surrounding the incident, Additional DIG Abdullah Al Zahir, who was serving in the Rear and Maintenance Branch of Police Headquarters, was attached to Police Headquarters on the afternoon of October 19.
Five days later, the Home Ministry ordered his temporary suspension.
