DIG faces inquiry over obscene messages to junior colleague

The home
ministry has launched a departmental inquiry against Deputy Inspector General
Mohammad Abu Sufian over allegations of sending an obscene video clip and
disturbing messages to a junior female colleague through his Facebook
Messenger.
Signed by the ministry's senior secretary, a show-cause notice was issued to
the DIG on November 24, asking him to submit a written explanation in 10
working days as to why he should not be dismissed from service and handed down
a penalty for the alleged misconduct. It added that he could provide his answer
within the stipulated time or opt for a personal hearing for self-defence.
Contacted by
The Daily Star yesterday, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam confirmed
that the allegations were currently being investigated by the home ministry.
Following the initiation of
the inquiry, Sufian was transferred from his post as commissioner of Rajshahi
Metropolitan Police to the Police Headquarters.
According to the show-cause, Sufian used his official social media account to
send objectionable messages to the victim, a female additional superintendent
of police from the 35th batch.
On September 18, he allegedly
sent an obscene video clip as well.
Though the DIG allegedly
deleted the content from his Messenger, the evidence provided has been
validated in a forensic report conducted by the Criminal Investigation
Department.
The notice further stated that by sending such a video to a junior female
colleague while holding an important post, "DIG Abu Sufian demonstrated
extreme unprofessionalism".
His conduct was deemed
unbecoming of an officer and devoid of morality and has severely tarnished the
image of the police force, it added.
The ministry further stressed
that such behaviour is considered a punishable offence under the Government
Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018.
Responding to the
allegations, Sufian told The Daily Star that he received the show-cause notice
yesterday.
He claimed he was "a
victim of fraud", saying that he was sent this video from another ID.
"I then forwarded it to her [the female officer] asking why it was
sent."
However, the female officer
yesterday told journalists that she was frequently sent such messages, images,
and video content on several occasions. She added that only when the situation
became "completely unacceptable" did she inform the authorities
through established departmental rules.
















