Habiganj ASI withdrawn after video of bribery remarks goes viral

Collected Photo

Chunarughat Correspondent : An assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of Chunarughat Police Station in Habiganj, who was seen in a video saying he bought his police uniform with bribe money to take bribes, has been withdrawn from active duty and attached to the Habiganj Police Lines.

Habiganj Superintendent of Police Md Tarek Mahmud confirmed the development today, saying the assistant superintendent of police (ASP) of the circle had been tasked with investigating the incident.

He said ASI Mohammad Ilias Hossain allegedly made the remarks while investigating a case filed by Noman Miah at Ranigaon Bazar in Chunarughat upazila.

A local resident recorded the incident on a mobile phone, and the video later circulated on social media.

In the nearly one-minute video, Ilias is heard saying, “There is no smoke without fire, you know? Do you get what I mean?”

He then appears to say, “If I claimed that I was a police officer who did not take bribes, or that I was the imam of Baitul Mukarram, would anyone believe me?

“I bought this uniform with bribe money, specifically to take bribes,” he is heard saying.

The remarks have drawn criticism on social media, with viewers questioning corruption within the police force.

Mohammad Saiful Islam, officer-in-charge of Chunarughat Police Station, said he had seen the video and that the authorities were verifying the incident.

ASP Rafiur Rahman said he was at the SP’s office today to deal with the matter concerning the ASI and would provide details later.

The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances in which the remarks were made and determine whether further disciplinary action is warranted, he added.