RAB investigation committee on Jasmine's death

When asked, Senior Secretary of Public Administration Ministry Mohammad Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury told Dhaka Post on Thursday morning that he has received the initial report of the incident from Naogaon. Since Enamul Haque is working in the Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner's office, I have asked him to submit the investigation report from that office. He said that the report will be available today.

In response to the question whether he can file a case against someone without the permission of the higher authorities, the secretary said that all questions will be answered after the investigation report. What action will be taken against him will be known after the investigation report.

Officials of the field administration department of the cabinet department said that the role of Enamul in the case of Jasmine's death has been discussed and criticized across the country. The administration cadre is embarrassed by this. Therefore, it has been decided to withdraw him from the Rajshahi Divisional Office as a preliminary punishment. Further action is being taken immediately after receiving the inquiry report at the Divisional Office.

It has been reported that Enamul Haque has been asked to investigate the extent of his responsibility in this incident, abuse of power and use of state titles for personal work, violating the code of conduct of public servants by filing a case against a public servant without the permission of his ministry or higher authorities.

Those concerned said that he (Enamul Haque) himself was present at the scene and handed over Sultana Jasmine, the office assistant of the land office of Sadar Upazila, Naogaon, to the RAB. Jasmine died in RAB custody after she was taken away without a case. The matter went up to the High Court. In such a reality, the Ministry of Public Administration is going to take a decision about Joint Secretary Enamul Haque.

Meanwhile, when asked what kind of action can be taken against Enamul Haque for violating the code of conduct including abuse of power, Public Administration Joint Secretary (Field Administration) Shayla Farzana told the media on Wednesday that Enamul Haque is a citizen first. Then he is a government official. As a citizen he can complain about anything. There is no legal obstacle to it.

Since he (Enamul Haque) has been accused of taking Jasmin away, the matter is being investigated. There was also a discussion between senior officials in the Public Administration Ministry on Wednesday regarding the whole matter. He also said that the decision will be taken on Thursday (today).

According to another source of the Ministry of Public Administration, a departmental investigation is also starting against Enamul Haque. For this, the process of forming a separate investigation committee is underway. The ministry is also giving importance to the fact that the High Court has taken Sultana Jasmine's death more seriously. A senior official said that the ministry wants to take the issue of Enamul Haque seriously before issuing any kind of instructions from the court.

On the other hand, Sultana Jasmine's family, human rights organization Ain O Salish Kendra (ASAK) have demanded the formation of a judicial inquiry commission into the death of Sultana Jasmine in RAB custody. Besides, the persons responsible for the incident are asked to be quickly identified and brought to justice. Apart from this, the victim's family should be ensured safety and proper compensation was also demanded.

It is known that Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner's Office Local Government Department Director (Joint Secretary) Enamul Haque went to Naogaon on personal business. He did not take permission from his superiors for this.

It is to be noted that RAB arrested Sultana Jasmine in front of Naowan field in Naogaon at 10:30 am on March 22. Then on the morning of March 24, the woman died while undergoing treatment in ICU at Rajshahi Medical College (Ramek) Hospital. Sultana Jasmine used to work as assistant in Chandipur Union Land Office of Sadar Upazila.