Police officers accused of ordering the use of force and live ammunition against students and civilians during the July Movement are once again under public scrutiny, with many people asking where they are currently serving. Although two years have passed since the political changeover on August 5, 2024, many officers who played key roles during the crackdown remain in active service, while others have faced murder charges, suspension, compulsory retirement, or departmental action.
According to information obtained through an investigation, a total of 116 police officers—including Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), Additional DIGs, and Superintendents of Police (SPs)—were responsible for law enforcement operations at metropolitan, range, and district levels during the July Movement. Of them, 41 officers continue to serve in various units under normal administrative assignments. Many have been posted or attached to Police Headquarters, the Armed Police Battalion (APBn), Railway Police, Bangladesh Police Academy in Sardah, Police Training Centres, and other units.
Statistics indicate that more than 35 percent of the officers involved in handling the July Movement remain in active service. Individuals associated with the movement have expressed concern over this situation. They allege that some of these officers continue to leak sensitive administrative information and contribute to internal divisions within the police force.
As part of disciplinary measures, only 17 officers have been sent into compulsory retirement, representing approximately 14 percent of those identified. Meanwhile, 57 officers have been attached to various departments. According to official sources, departmental proceedings are continuing, with some officers facing dismissal, others compulsory retirement, and additional disciplinary action under consideration. Authorities are also pursuing legal measures through Interpol against officers who are currently absconding abroad.
Police Headquarters sources say that of the 77 district Superintendents of Police serving across Bangladesh's 64 districts during the movement, 35 remain employed in different police units. This means that nearly 45 percent of the SPs who served during the July Movement are still performing regular duties. The remaining 42 officers have faced suspension, attachment to other units, or other forms of disciplinary action. This figure also includes officers who are currently fugitives.
Over the past two years, disciplinary measures have also been taken against all eight Metropolitan Police Commissioners and the DIGs of the country's eight police ranges. Eight commissioners and six DIGs have been sent into retirement, while three DIGs and one Metropolitan Police Commissioner have been placed under temporary suspension.
Among the 21 Additional DIGs who served during the movement, six continue to hold important positions, while the others have been attached to different offices. Several officers are also reported to have gone into hiding, and disciplinary proceedings have reportedly been initiated against them.
A senior source at Police Headquarters stated that many district SPs accused of directly ordering gunfire against protesters have been charged in murder cases. Some have been suspended, others are in custody, while several remain fugitives in pending criminal cases. However, many officers continue to serve in Police Training Centres, the APBn, Highway Police, Tourist Police, Railway Police, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Police Telecom, and other specialized units. Allegations have also surfaced that some officers successfully secured influential postings through lobbying.
Among those currently serving are former Tangail SP Sarkar Mohammad Qaiser, who was promoted to Additional DIG and is now posted at the Betbunia Police Training Centre in Rangamati. Other officers serving in various police units include former SPs Mohammad Morshed Alam (Faridpur), G.M. Abul Kalam Azad (Rajbari), Mahbubul Alam (Shariatpur), Mohammad Shafiur Rahman (Madaripur), Foyez Ahmed (Netrokona), Monalisa Begum and Akramul Hossain (Sherpur), Mahfuzul Islam (Cox's Bazar), Saikat Shahin (Bandarban), Mukta Dhar (Khagrachhari), and Mohammad Shakhawat Hossain (Brahmanbaria), among many others.
Former SPs from Chandpur, Moulvibazar, Sunamganj, Satkhira, Chuadanga, Kushtia, Narail, Meherpur, Pirojpur, Bhola, Jhalokathi, Barguna, Chapainawabganj, Pabna, Naogaon, Joypurhat, Rangpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, and Kurigram are also reported to be serving in different police units across the country.
Several Additional DIGs at the range level continue to occupy significant positions. These include Mahfuzur Rahman at the Tangail Police Training Centre, Probir Kumar Roy in the Naval Police, Mohammad Saiful Islam at Police Headquarters, Mohammad Shahidullah as Joint Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), and Liton Kumar Saha at the Khulna Police Training Centre.
Among those placed under temporary suspension are former Dhaka District SP Md. Asaduzzaman, Golam Mostafa Russell of Narayanganj, Mohammad Tarek Bin Rashid of Lakshmipur, Proloy Kumar Joarder of Jashore, Arifur Rahman Mondal of Sirajganj, Sudip Kumar Chakraborty of Bogura, and Md. Shahjahan of Rangpur. Meanwhile, former SPs Mohammad Asaduzzaman of Noakhali, Abdul Mannan of Cumilla, and Abul Hasnat Khan of Bagerhat are currently in custody.
Additional Inspector General of Police (AIG) AKM Awlad Hossain said, "Necessary action will be taken gradually against officials who assisted the former authoritarian government."
The information presented in this report is based primarily on official administrative sources and information gathered from individuals familiar with the matter. Many of the allegations against the officers concerned remain under investigation or are currently before the courts. Therefore, unless and until a court reaches a final verdict, these allegations should not be regarded as legally proven.