Two Messages on Rehabilitating Awami League Found on Arrested SP’s Phone, DIG Says

Chattogram Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Md Abdul Quddus Chowdhury has said two serious messages were found in a WhatsApp group on the mobile phone of Range Reserve Force (RRF) Superintendent of Police (SP) Jahangir Alam. He spoke to reporters at his office in Khulshi, Chattogram, on Sunday morning.

The DIG said the two messages stated that ‘the previous government (the banned Awami League) will be rehabilitated by December’ and that ‘in December everyone will take to the field risking their lives’. He gave the information citing the first information report of the case filed against Jahangir Alam.

The DIG said: ‘We first received information from a reliable source that he was carrying out such activities. His two mobile phones were then seized. An inquiry committee was formed. After forensic examination of the two phones found preliminary truth in the matter, a case was filed. He was arrested in that case.’

Md Abdul Quddus Chowdhury also said that when a criminal case is filed against a government officer, departmental rules provide for temporary suspension and a departmental case. That process is also under way in Jahangir Alam’s case, he said.

Jahangir Alam was arrested at around 8:30 pm on Saturday from the Police Women’s Welfare Association (Punak) mess at Chhotopul in Halishahar, located between the district police lines and the RRF office, by a team of the district police special unit and Panchlaish police. Eyewitnesses said he was taken away in a white vehicle of the district police special unit.

Police allege that Jahangir Alam maintained contact with leaders of the banned Awami League. He is also alleged to have communicated with relevant persons about a plan for Sheikh Hasina’s return to the country. He faces a further allegation of supplying internal and sensitive police information to Awami League leaders.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner (public relations) Md Aminur Rashid said a team of police and the Special Response Unit arrested him on Saturday shortly after the case was filed. The DIG said the case was filed on Saturday night with approval from the Home Ministry and that Jahangir Alam is now in the custody of Panchlaish police.

Earlier, on Tuesday (10 November), after receiving preliminary information about the allegations, the DIG called Jahangir Alam to his office and questioned him. His personal and official mobile phones were seized that day. The phones were later sent to the Special Branch at police headquarters in Dhaka for forensic examination.

Jahangir Alam is an officer of the 28th BCS (police) batch. He joined the police on 1 December 2010.