Dhaka Bureau: The Public Administration Ministry has started an investigation into the involvement of Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner’s Office Director (Joint Secretary) Enamul Haque in the death of Naogaon Land Office employee Sultana Jasmine while in RAB custody. In the meantime, the preliminary investigation report has been received from the Naogaon District Commissioner. The Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner’s office is investigating for further investigation. It was learned that this report is scheduled to be submitted by Thursday, March 30.
When asked, Senior Secretary of the Public Administration Ministry Mohammad Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury told the media that he had received the initial report of the incident from Naogaon. Since Enamul Haque is working in the Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner’s office, I have asked him to submit the investigation report from that office. He said that the report would be available today.
In response to the question of whether he can file a case against someone without the permission of the higher authorities, the secretary said that all questions will be answered after the investigation report. What action will be taken against him will be known after the investigation report.
Officials of the field administration department of the cabinet department said that the role of Enamul in the case of Jasmine’s death has been discussed and criticized across the country. The administration cadre is embarrassed by this. Therefore, it has been decided to withdraw him from the Rajshahi Divisional Office as a preliminary punishment. Further action is being taken immediately after receiving the inquiry report at the divisional office.
It has been reported that Enamul Haque has been asked to investigate the matter of abuse of power, using state titles for personal work, and violating the code of conduct of public servants by filing a case against a public servant without the permission of his ministry or higher authority.
Those concerned said that he (Enamul Haque) himself was present at the scene and handed over Sultana Jasmine, the office assistant of the land office of Sadar Upazila, Naogaon, to the RAB. Jasmine died in RAB custody after she was taken away without a case. The matter went to the High Court. In such a reality, the Ministry of Public Administration is going to take a decision about Joint Secretary Enamul Haque.
Meanwhile, when asked what kind of action could be taken against Enamul Haque for violating the code of conduct, including abuse of power, Shaila Farzana of the Ministry of Public Administrations Joint Secretary (Field Administration) told the media that Enamul Haque is first and foremost a citizen. Then he is a government official. As a citizen, he can complain about anything. There is no legal obstacle to it.
Since he (Enamul Haque) has been accused of taking Jasmin away, the matter is being investigated. There was also a discussion on Wednesday between senior officials in the Public Administration Ministry regarding the whole matter. He also said that the decision will be taken on Thursday (today).
According to another source at the Ministry of Public Administration, a departmental investigation is also underway against Enamul Haque. For this, the process of forming a separate investigation committee is underway. The ministry is also giving importance to the fact that the High Court has taken Sultana Jasmine’s death more seriously. A senior official said that the ministry wants to take the issue of Enamul Haque seriously before issuing any kind of instructions from the court.
On the other hand, Sultana Jasmine’s family and human rights organization Ain O Salish Kendra (ASAK) have demanded the formation of a judicial inquiry commission into the death of Sultana Jasmine in RAB custody. Besides, the persons responsible for the incident are asked to be quickly identified and brought to justice. Apart from this, the victim’s family should be ensured safety, and proper compensation is also demanded.
It is known that Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner’s Office Local Government Department Director (Joint Secretary) Enamul Haque went to Naogaon on personal business. He did not get permission from his superiors for this.
It is to be noted that RAB arrested Sultana Jasmine in front of Naowan Field in Naogaon at 10:30 am on March 22. Then on the morning of March 24, the woman died while undergoing treatment in the ICU at Rajshahi Medical College (Ramek) Hospital. Sultana Jasmine used to work as an assistant in the Chandipur Union Land Office of Sadar Upazila.
