Police sergeant closed after viral video shows him touching Rizvi’s feet
Earlier on Friday morning, during the observance of National Revolution and Solidarity Day, BNP leader Rizvi visited the grave of late president Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka to pay homage. As Rizvi was getting into his car after the programme, Sergeant Ariful Islam was seen touching his feet in a gesture of respect.
The police sergeant who was seen touching the feet of BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi in a viral video has been closed and attached to the headquarters of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
The officer, identified as Sergeant Md Ariful Islam, was previously posted at the Mirpur Traffic Zone under DMP's Traffic Division.
According to an office order signed on Friday (7 November) by Gautam Kumar Biswas, deputy commissioner of traffic (Mirpur Division), Sergeant Ariful has been attached to the DMP Headquarters (Administration) for "administrative reasons."
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The order stated, "Sergeant Md Ariful Islam, who was serving in the Mirpur Traffic Zone under DMP's Traffic Mirpur Division, has been attached to the DMP Headquarters (Administration) from his current posting for administrative reasons, upon notification to higher authorities."
Earlier on Friday morning, during the observance of National Revolution and Solidarity Day, BNP leader Rizvi visited the grave of late president Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka to pay homage.
As Rizvi was getting into his car after the programme, Sergeant Ariful Islam was seen touching his feet in a gesture of respect.
A video of the incident later went viral on social media, sparking widespread criticism.
Earlier on 15 September, DMP Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sazzat Ali urged police officials to ensure the highest level of neutrality during the upcoming national parliamentary elections, distancing themselves from past allegations of bias.
Speaking at the monthly crime review meeting held at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh, the DMP chief emphasised that no member of the force can show favouritism towards any political party, ideology, or individual.
Earlier a month ago, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury also urged police personnel to refrain from siding with any political party.
"You must not work for any particular party or see yourself as a party activist," he addressed police officers at the inaugural session of a training programme at Rajarbagh Police Lines in Dhaka.
