Ex-Additional IGP Dr. Ashrafur Tops the shortlist of ACC Commissioner

Despite being denied promotion for 16 long years, Dr. Md. Ashrafur Rahman did not deviate from his professional responsibilities. An analysis of his career shows that he was uncompromising even in the face of political adversity. The combination of his personal integrity and talent established him as an ideal candidate for the anti-corruption campaign.

In the context of the current reform process of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the formation of a strong, impartial and efficient commission is the need of the hour. A commissioner with extensive administrative experience, special investigative skills and political neutrality is needed to implement the government's anti-corruption commitment and prevent money laundering.

Considering this criterion, the name of recently retired Additional IGP Dr. Md. Ashrafur Rahman deserves special attention. This talented son of Chandpur village in Madarganj upazila of Jamalpur district is widely praised for his honesty, dedication and prudence.

Professionalism and administrative experience

Dr. Md. Ashrafur Rahman has played an important role in maintaining law and order at the field level for more than three decades since joining the BCS (Police) cadre in 1995. His experience of working as a Superintendent of Police in districts like Chapainawabganj, Barisal, Sylhet and Patuakhali has made him skilled in controlling complex situations in field administration. In particular, his role in crime suppression and administrative modernization while serving as DIG (Crime Management) of Police Headquarters was commendable.

At that time, he supervised the investigation of cases across the country, including guiding the direction of various complex cases of the anti-discrimination student uprising, and played a role in unraveling the tangle of various important cases, including supervising money laundering cases during the fascist era.

This smart official was not only denied promotion by the Awami League government but was also harassed in various ways, simply because he was the president of the Chhatra Dal at the Islamic University during his student life. He was arrested during the democratic movement of the 1990s and imprisoned in Gazipur jail.

This officer, who was promoted to the rank of Additional IGP, has been contributing to social reform through writing in his retirement. Already, many of his writings on social reform, including a series of publications on the modernization of the police department in 50 years and the reform framework of the Anti-Corruption Commission, have been published in various newspapers, which have received a good response in the intelligentsia.

Leadership skills in times of crisis

In the changed situation after 5 August 2024, Dr. Md. Ashrafur Rahman's role as the Range DIG of Mymensingh was courageous and effective. Maintaining a neutral stance, he took strict steps to ensure public safety, including the arrest of more than 864 criminals, in order to normalize the law and order situation.

In addition, the model of coordination he created with all local political parties to reactivate the police force, which was a victim of political polarization, proves the uniqueness of his leadership in restoring institutional discipline to the police force, which was in crisis.

Honesty and impartiality

Despite being denied promotion for 16 long years, Dr. Md. Ashrafur Rahman did not deviate from his professional responsibilities. An analysis of his career shows that he was uncompromising even in the face of political adversity. The combination of his personal integrity and talent established him as an ideal candidate for the anti-corruption campaign.

With a PhD in academic background, he is skilled in both traditional investigation and theoretical and institutional reform.

Importance for ACC

To enhance the effectiveness of the ACC, a Commissioner is needed who understands the intricacies of complex crime rings and money laundering. Dr. Md. Ashrafur Rahman's long police career and his special talent in criminal investigation will be helpful in making the investigation and investigation process of the ACC more dynamic and scientific. His appointment will increase public confidence in the transparency and good governance of the Commission.

One of the main goals of the current government is to make state institutions corruption-free. There is no alternative to a competent, honest and talented leadership in forming a new commission for the ACC. If an experienced and uncompromising officer like Dr. Md. Ashrafur Rahman is appointed as the commissioner, it will add a new dimension to the work of the ACC and will reflect the government's strong commitment to fighting corruption.

The relevant government search committee or appointing authority may actively consider Dr. Md. Ashrafur Rahman's appointment by reviewing his career and previous records of success.