SC lawyer files writ challenging appointment of Feni SP Mahbub Alam
Two murder cases were filed, naming him as an accused
A writ petition has been filed with the High Court (HC) challenging the appointment of Md Mahbub Alam Khan as Superintendent of Police (SP) of Feni, citing his inclusion as an accused in two murder cases.
The writ was filed today (7 May) by Supreme Court lawyer and chairman of the National Lawyers Council Advocate SM Zulfikar Ali Junu, in the public interest.
The petition sought cancellation of Mahbub's appointment, his temporary suspension from duty and a directive for a neutral investigation into the allegations against him.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Secretaries of the ministries of home affairs and public administration, the inspector general of police and other relevant authorities were made respondents in the writ.
Talking to reporters, Advocate Junu said, "In the interest of rule of law, accountability and good governance, a person accused in serious criminal cases should not be retained in an important policing position. Neutral investigation and administrative transparency are essential to ensure public trust and justice."
According to the writ petition, Md Mahbub Alam Khan previously served as deputy commissioner of the Detective Branch (DB-West) of Chattogram Metropolitan Police. Before that, he worked for a long time as additional superintendent of police in Chapainawabganj.
The petition alleged that during his tenure in Chapainawabganj, serious allegations were raised against him, including abuse of power, political harassment, enforced disappearance, extrajudicial killing and torture. It said two murder cases were later filed over those allegations, naming him as an accused.
The writ stated that Mahbub was made the 10th accused in a case filed over the alleged killing of Jubo Dal leader Mizanur Rahman in a reported "gunfight" or "crossfire".
According to the allegations mentioned in the petition, members of law enforcement agencies allegedly picked up the victim before police denied detaining him and later demanded money from the family. He was subsequently shown dead in a reported gunfight.
The petition also claimed that another individual, Rezaul Karim, remains missing in connection with the same incident.
As per the writ, Mahbub was named in a murder case filed at Shibganj Police Station on 13 September 2024 by Md Aynal Haque. He was also included as the third accused in another murder case filed on 20 October 2024.
The petition argued that appointing a police officer accused of murder, enforced disappearance, and abuse of power to a key law enforcement post contradicts Articles 27, 31 and 32 of the Constitution and undermines the principles of rule of law, accountability and justice.
It further stated that allowing him to continue in office while the cases remain pending could influence investigations, witnesses and the judicial process, potentially damaging public confidence in the police administration.
The writ sought a rule asking why his appointment as Feni SP should not be declared illegal and without lawful authority, as well as an order to immediately cancel or suspend the appointment and temporarily suspend him from service until the investigations and disposal of the murder cases are completed.
