Recently, a media outlet published a report titled “Police Commissioner in Honey Trap of Two OCs”, linking Hasib Aziz, a talented, skilled, efficient, courageous and professional officer of Bangladesh Police. We strongly protest and condemn the publication of this report.
The allegations, insinuations and language used in the published report do not merely attempt to question the professional image of an officer; rather, we believe they constitute an attack on the personal dignity, social reputation, long-standing professional standing and mental peace of his family.
We want to state in the clearest possible terms—Hasib Aziz is not an officer who emerged overnight. He has reached his present position after passing through a long and challenging professional career. Throughout different stages of his career, he has carried out important responsibilities, made decisions in difficult circumstances, played a professional role in maintaining law and order, and demonstrated courage in the discharge of his duties. These are important parts of his professional identity.
He is currently serving as Additional IGP and Head of APBn, which reflects the state’s confidence in his long professional experience, competence and leadership. Attempting to publicly humiliate such an officer on the basis of a few allegations, insinuating statements or unverified information cannot be acceptable under any circumstances.
We strongly protest and condemn the deliberate dissemination of photographs showing Mr. Hasib Aziz’s personal gestures through newspapers and social media with the apparent intention of damaging his dignity and professional reputation. Using personal photographs to spread false, malicious or defamatory statements cannot in any way be considered responsible journalism.
Such propaganda must be stopped immediately, and the misleading information published should be withdrawn. Otherwise, necessary legal action will be taken against those concerned under the applicable laws.
Can Hasib Aziz’s long professional career really be erased by a few purposeful reports?
Hasib Aziz’s professional life cannot be evaluated through a single news report. The true assessment of a police officer is based on his long career, record of service, professional competence, decision-making ability, integrity, discipline and commitment to the state.
He is an officer who has served in difficult circumstances, held responsibilities in important units and police stations, and established his professional credentials by overcoming various challenges throughout his career.
He has also faced discrimination and adverse circumstances within past political and administrative realities—experiences that have been discussed among people familiar with him. But adversity did not stop him. Rather, he established his position through competence, professionalism and a strong sense of duty.
Today, when his long journey and achievements are overlooked and sensitive, insinuating words are used to publish reports aimed at damaging his personal character, a natural question arises: What is the actual purpose behind publishing such reports?
If There Are Allegations, Let There Be an Investigation; If There Is Evidence, Let Legal Action Be Taken
We do not consider anyone to be above the law. Hasib Aziz is not above the law either.
If anyone has a specific allegation against him, the complaint should be submitted to the appropriate authority, an impartial investigation should be conducted, the necessary evidence should be presented, and if the allegations are proven, action should be taken in accordance with the law.
However, accusing someone through the media before an investigation, creating a public perception of guilt before evidence is established, and questioning an individual’s personal character cannot in any way constitute a fair process.
It is easy to make allegations against a person, but once someone’s hard-earned reputation is destroyed, restoring it is extremely difficult.
The strength of journalism lies in revealing the truth—not in destroying someone’s character.
Media Freedom Exists, but There Is No Freedom to Spread False Propaganda
We have full respect for independent and responsible journalism. The media should bring information about corruption, irregularities, abuse of power and crime before the public—that is the strength of the media.
But freedom comes with responsibility.
Media freedom does not mean freedom to publish unverified allegations against someone. Media freedom does not mean the right to destroy someone’s character.
Media freedom does not mean permission to turn rumors into news.
Media freedom does not mean a license to destroy the social dignity of a state official.
The first requirement of journalism is verification of facts. The second is balance. The third is obtaining the statement of the concerned party. Publishing serious allegations without properly reflecting these principles naturally raises questions.
Why Is Hasib Aziz Being Repeatedly Targeted?
When an officer holds a position of responsibility, his decisions may affect the interests of many people. Someone may become dissatisfied with law enforcement, someone may be angered by an administrative decision, or an interest group may lose its benefits.
Therefore, whenever an allegation is made against an officer, it cannot automatically be assumed to be true.
Instead, it must be examined—who benefits from the allegation, what is the source of the information, where is the evidence, and why was such a report published at this particular time?
If an officer like Hasib Aziz has become an obstacle to the interests of any group because of his long professional experience and responsible position, then whether a campaign of propaganda and character assassination is being used because he cannot be confronted administratively is also a matter that may warrant investigation.
Why Should His Family Also Be Pushed Into Humiliation?
Before publishing serious and sensitive allegations against any individual, the most important consideration should be humanity.
A police officer performs his duties for the state. But his family is not part of any allegation.
Unverified or defamatory reporting can cause his family members to face social embarrassment, humiliation or mental distress. Therefore, greater responsibility is required when publishing such reports.
If there are allegations against an officer, his duties and professional activities may be discussed. But insinuating campaigns targeting his personal dignity and character are in no way acceptable.
Propaganda Cannot Erase Hasib Aziz’s Achievements
Hasib Aziz’s long professional career, competence, intelligence, courage and experience in carrying out his responsibilities cannot be erased by a few news headlines.
He has witnessed difficult times, experienced periods of discrimination and passed through challenging chapters of administrative realities. Yet he has maintained his professional position.
His present position was not achieved through anyone’s favor. It was earned through a long professional journey, experience, competence and dedication to duty.
If any group attempts to weaken him through propaganda, such propaganda is not merely an attack against him—it is an attack against truth and professionalism.
A Firm Position From the Administration
We want to make it clear that if there are specific allegations against any officer of Bangladesh Police, an investigation will be conducted in accordance with law and regulations.
At the same time, if any officer becomes the target of planned false information, malicious propaganda or defamatory campaigns, that officer also has the right to seek legal remedy.
If the allegations published against Hasib Aziz are found to be false and baseless, it is the responsibility of the concerned media outlet to re-examine the matter, correct any inaccurate information and properly publish the statement of the concerned officer.
At the same time, consideration will be given to taking necessary legal action under the applicable laws against those involved in deliberately supplying false information, spreading propaganda on social media or engaging in a planned campaign of character assassination.
A false accusation cannot stop an officer.
Propaganda cannot erase his professional identity.
Character assassination cannot invalidate his long-standing achievements.
And if a planned conspiracy is carried out using the name of the media, that too will not be silently tolerated.
Our Expectations
We call upon responsible journalists to reveal the truth, verify information, present evidence and follow the principle of obtaining statements from the concerned parties.
At the same time, we warn those who are attempting to use the media to damage the character of a professional officer because of personal interests, political vendetta or administrative disputes—false propaganda does not last forever.
The truth will eventually come out.
Any allegation against Hasib Aziz must be judged on the basis of information, evidence, investigation and law—not rumors, propaganda or news headlines.
We reiterate firmly—
Hasib Aziz is a talented, skilled, efficient, courageous and experienced police officer.
We stand united in protesting any attempt to deliberately tarnish his long-standing professional reputation through propaganda.
We demand the withdrawal and correction of the baseless, purposeful and defamatory reports published against him, along with the publication of an appropriate explanation.
Otherwise, the right to take appropriate legal action under the applicable laws against the concerned media outlet, individuals spreading propaganda and others involved is hereby reserved.
Propaganda will ultimately be defeated by truth.
There is no place for conspiracy before the law.
And every lawful step will be taken to protect the dignity of an honest, courageous and professional police officer.
— On behalf of the Police Administration
Strong Protest, Condemnation and Warning