DB Harun, also known as Harun-or-Rashid, holds a prominent position in the Bangladeshi police force. He currently serves as the Chief of the Detective Department (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). Throughout his career, he has experienced both significant accomplishments and controversies, which have made him a well-known, albeit divisive, figure in Bangladesh.
Harun hails from the Kishoreganj District and has a humble upbringing. He was raised in the village of Hossainpur under Mithamoin upazila by his father, Abdul Hasem, and mother, Zohura Khatun.
Harun diligently pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Master’s degree from Dhaka University, as well as a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Jahangirnagar University. This academic background provided a solid foundation for his career in law enforcement.
Harun’s ascent through the ranks of the police force began with his appointment as Deputy Commissioner of the Lalbagh Division of DMP. In 2012, his profession took a controversial turn when he became involved in an incident during an anti-government protest.
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He was accused of assaulting Zainul Abedin Farroque, a member of parliament from the Bangladesh Nationalist Social gathering (BNP) and the Chief Opposition Whip. The incident resulted in an attempted homicide case being filed against him and several other police officers, although the case was ultimately dismissed by a Justice of the Peace.
In 2013, Harun received a medal from the Bangladesh Police, which drew criticism from the media due to the perception that it was a reward for his actions during the protest.
Despite facing controversies, he managed to progress in his career and was elected Secretary General of the Bangladesh Police Service Association in January 2016.
Harun’s tenure has been marred by additional allegations. In May 2016, a subordinate officer allegedly extorted a significant amount of money from a businessman, leading to allegations of corruption and abuse of power. This incident brought attention to ongoing concerns regarding the trustworthiness of police operations under his leadership.
In December 2018, Harun assumed the role of Superintendent of Police of Narayanganj District. His appointment arrived amidst political tensions, as the previous superintendent was transferred at the request of a political party due to their political affiliations. Harun’s management in Narayanganj was marred by further allegations of misconduct, including claims of extortion and harassment directed at journalists.
In November 2019, Harun was involved in a high-profile incident where he alleged that he had arrested the spouse and minor son of a businessman for drug possession.
However, the CCTV footage presented a different perspective, showing that the family members were unlawfully detained. This incident further damaged his reputation, leading to his transfer to the police headquarters while investigations into his behavior continue.
Despite the controversies, Harun’s career advanced as he was promoted to Deputy Commissioner of DMP in May 2020 and later to Additional Deputy Inspector General in May 2021.
His career reached new heights when he was appointed as the Chief of the Detective Department of DMP in July 2022. This individual is positioned at the forefront of prison investigations in Dhaka, where he is expected to lead efforts against organized crime and corruption.