Govt sacks ex-joint secy Dhananjay for misconduct, absence
The government has officially classified his disappearance from duty as “absconding,” a grave offence under civil service conduct rules
Former joint secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Dhananjay Kumar Das, has been dismissed from public service for misconduct and unauthorised absence from duty.
The Ministry of Public Administration issued in a gazette notification regarding the termination today (28 July).
Das has reportedly been absent without leave since 3 September 2024, shortly after his transfer to the Ministry of Textiles and Jute for an appointment as director of the Bangladesh Sericulture Development Board.
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However, he did not join his subsequent posting at the Ministry of Public Administration, prompting an investigation.
The government has officially classified his disappearance from duty as "absconding," a grave offence under civil service conduct rules.
A departmental inquiry was initiated in February this year, citing misconduct, flight from duty, and incitement.
Investigators found the first two allegations to be "undoubtedly proven," while the incitement charge could not be substantiated.
Das was issued two show-cause notices, both of which he ignored, leading to the final decision to terminate his service. The dismissal is effective from 3 September 2024, the date of his initial unauthorised absence.
The dismissal was approved by both the Public Service Commission and the president.
The controversy surrounding Das has grown over the past year. In September 2024, he was named in a high-profile murder case filed by the father of a student allegedly killed during last year's July Uprising. The case, lodged at Tejgaon Police Station, named a total of 223 individuals.
Authorities have also flagged Das's past online activity. The government cited several Facebook posts during and after the July protests that it claimed were seditious and could have provoked unrest within public institutions.
Additionally, on 29 July this year, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a case against Das over accumulating wealth illegally. He is accused of possessing undeclared wealth amounting to Tk2.47 crore and conducting suspicious financial transactions.
Das had served in the police wing of the Public Security Division for an extended period before being transferred amid media reports alleging corruption.
