Special Correspondent

Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Bangladesh Police Mohammad Jahirul Islam, who is listed as the 5th accused in a murder case stemming from the July mass uprising, is facing a storm of severe allegations ranging from professional misconduct and corruption to grave moral turpitude and systematic harassment of his former wife. Despite facing criminal charges in a high-profile homicide case, he remains attached as a reserve officer at Police Headquarters without undergoing formal judicial or administrative suspension.

According to case records from Bhatara Police Station, a murder case was filed on February 24, 2025, by a complainant named Shafikul Islam regarding the killing of a man named Jahangir during the quota reform movement. On July 20, 2024, during peaceful demonstrations by students and citizens in Dhaka's Kuril area under Bhatara Police Station, security forces and allied groups launched an attack utilizing firearms, hockey sticks, Chinese axes, sound grenades, rubber bullets, and cocktails. Jahangir sustained critical injuries, was hidden by fellow protesters, and later succumbed to his wounds at 3:30 PM on July 21. Additional DIG Mohammad Jahirul Islam is named as the 5th accused in the FIR.

Beyond his professional entanglements, Jahirul’s personal life has drawn intense scrutiny. His former wife, Fahima Akhter, whom he married on December 18, 1999, while still a student, has accused him of prolonged psychological and physical abuse. Fahima, who worked as a government primary school teacher and supported his education during their early years, stated that his behavior deteriorated drastically after he was posted as Superintendent of Police (SP) in Magura.

Fahima filed a formal written complaint with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on April 25, 2025, and subsequently approached the Home Ministry. She alleged that following their divorce, Jahirul and his second wife, Sonia Ivana, have abused their power by filing approximately 10 General Diaries (GDs) and false cases across various police stations to harass her, turning her life into what she described as "hell."

According to Fahima, Jahirul engaged in multiple illicit relationships during his career, notably involving a schoolgirl while teaching at Rifles School in 2003, and later developing relationships with Ria Joyader, a local political figure in Sreepur, Magura, and Sonia Ivana, the former wife of Police Inspector Jabbar. Although an agreement was brokered in January 2025 under the supervision of senior police officials requiring Jahirul to provide BDT 15,000 monthly for their younger son's education, payments reportedly ceased in April 2025.

Additional reports and complaints lodged with Police Headquarters detail a pattern of coercive behavior during his tenure as SP in Magura. Allegations include coercing subordinate officers, misusing official authority, and intimidating witnesses. Furthermore, recent legal filings indicate that another woman has initiated proceedings at the Dhaka Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal (Petition Case No. 23/2026), accusing the senior police official of sexual exploitation under false promises of marriage and subsequent police harassment.

Civil society groups and reform advocates have expressed deep concern over the retention of an officer facing murder charges and multiple disciplinary inquiries within the upper echelons of the police force.

Critics argue that keeping Additional DIG Jahirul Islam attached to the reserve pool at Police Headquarters without compulsory retirement or rigorous legal accountability undermines ongoing efforts to restore public trust and institutional integrity within the Bangladesh Police.

He was not available for comments over the allegations.