HC seeks legality of non-cadre police inspectors’ promotion as ASPs

The High Court today questioned the legality of a government decision to promote non-cadre police officers to the post of assistant superintendent of police (ASP) with a rank of Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) cadre.

It issued a rule asking the government to explain in two weeks as to why its decision to promote non-cadre police inspectors to the post of ASP with the rank of BCS cadre should not be declared illegal.

The HC bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice Mohammad Ullah came up with the rule following a writ petition filed by Yusuf Siddiqui, officer-in-charge of Juraichhari Police Station in Rangamati, challenging the government decision.

Petitioner's counsel Barrister ABM Altaf Hossain told The Daily Star that the home ministry on July 16 promoted 99 unarmed police inspectors to the post of ASP with BCS cadre in violation of the relevant law. The home ministry on the same day issued a gazette notification in this regard.

Yusuf Siddiqui was not promoted to the post of ASP although 70 inspectors, who are junior to him, elevated to the post of ASP with the rank of BCS cadre, which was a "colorful access of power", he said.

In the rule, the HC also asked the authorities concerned of the government to explain as to why their decision to drop Yusuf Siddiqui from the promotion should not be declared illegal.