Sylhet ASI closed for singing at puja mandap while on security duty, inquiry ordered
Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Udayan Faruk of Jalalabad Police Station has been closed for performing a song at a cultural programme while on security duty, in uniform, at a puja mandap in Sylhet city. He has been attached from the police station to the Metropolitan Police Lines.
On Tuesday (20 October), he was attached to the Police Lines under an order signed by the Sylhet Metropolitan Police Commissioner. An inquiry into the incident, with a report to be submitted, has also been ordered.
According to police sources, ASI Udayan Faruk was on security duty on Monday night (19 October) at the Brahman Shasan Sarbojanin Puja Mandap in the Akhalia Natun Bazar area of Ward No. 8 in Sylhet city.
A cultural programme organised by the Puja Udjapan Parishad was under way at the mandap at the time. It has been alleged that, leaving his security duty, he performed a song at that programme while still wearing his police uniform.
Footage of his singing spread on the social media platform Facebook. After the video spread, the matter came to the attention of senior police officers.
Once the matter came to notice, administrative action was taken against him. As a first step, he was removed from his duties at the police station and attached to the Police Lines, known in police terms as being 'closed'.
Sylhet Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (North) Saiful Islam said that after the video spread on social media, the matter came to the attention of the higher authorities. ASI Udayan Faruk was then attached to the Police Lines.
He added that the Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Jalalabad Police Station has been tasked with investigating the incident and submitting a report. Assigning the inquiry directly to a senior officer shows the matter is being treated seriously.
The Deputy Commissioner said necessary action would be taken against him after the inquiry report is received. In other words, attachment to the Police Lines is not the final decision for now; further disciplinary or administrative steps will depend on the outcome of the inquiry.
The incident of a police member on security duty at a sensitive place like a puja mandap leaving his post to take the stage has sparked discussion locally. The question of maintaining discipline while on duty has become the central issue here.
Attention now awaits the inquiry report of the Assistant Commissioner of Jalalabad Police Station. Once that report is submitted, it will be known exactly what action will be taken against ASI Udayan Faruk.
