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Call for independent commission to oversee police

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Banglapress Published: 23 September 2025, 10:26 AM
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Call for independent commission to oversee police
Bangla Press Desk:   Speakers at a roundtable in Dhaka on Saturday stressed the urgent need for an effective and independent commission to oversee the Bangladesh Police and to end the political misuse of the country’s prime law enforcement agency. The event, held at the Daily Star Centre, was addressed by BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed, SHUJAN Secretary and National Consensus Commission Member Badiul Alam Majumdar, TIB Executive Director and National Consensus Commission Member Iftekharuzzaman, IGP Baharul Alam, Police Reform Commission Member Mohammad Iqbal, former inspector general of police (IGP) Mohammad Nurul Huda, former High Court justice Farid Ahmed, Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam, North South University professor Dr Rizwanul Islam, Additional IGP Kazi Md Fazlul Karim, Additional IGP and CID Chief Sibgat Ullah, lawyer and human rights activist Jyotirmoy Barua, women’s rights lawyer Fahmida Akhter Rinky, Jamaat-e-Islami Central Committee member Md Mobarak Hussain, and National Citizen Party (NCP) Senior Joint Convener Javed Rashin. Delivering the keynote address, former Additional IGP Motiur Rahman Sheikh called for the establishment of an autonomous police commission to ensure greater accountability and transparency.
He proposed a nine-to-eleven-member body, comprising former and serving justices, senior government officials, eminent human rights defenders, veteran journalists, and respected civil society representatives, stressing that women’s participation was essential for the commission’s independence and credibility. Explaining its scope, Sheikh said the commission should investigate complaints against police officers, establish grievance mechanisms, and oversee recruitment, transfers, and promotions. It should also recommend reforms, advise on the appointment of the IGP, enforce discipline and the code of conduct, prevent corruption, and ensure accountability. Crucially, he said, the commission must be accountable to parliament and should shield the police from undue external, especially political, interference. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed admitted that all ruling parties since independence had “used and destroyed” the police for political ends. Calling for a “functional” rather than token body, he said, “It is important to form a truly independent commission to ensure accountability and transparency within the force.” Describing the police as a “necessary devil” for society, Salahuddin added there was a broad consensus on the urgent need for legislation compelling departments to act on the commission’s recommendations, rather than letting the police become “kingmakers” in politics.
The BNP leader pledged, “If we come to power, we assure the people that we will do everything necessary to create a people-friendly, accountable, and transparent police force. We will do this through legislation and any other available mechanisms, and we will accept and implement the suggestions provided by civil society.” Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujon) Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar also pressed for reform, saying, “The police law of 1861 is wholly inadequate. There must be an independent Police Commission to ensure professionalism, accountability, and ethical integrity – transforming the service into a public-friendly institution.” This article was originally published on Daily Sun. [Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.] BP/SP
[Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.]

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