Saklayen Forced Retirement After Controversy

The Government of Bangladesh has placed former Detective Branch official Golam Saklayen on compulsory retirement following allegations linked to professional misconduct and an alleged inappropriate personal association during his tenure in the police service.

According to an official notification issued on Thursday evening (18 June), the decision concerns Saklayen, who previously served as an Additional Deputy Commissioner in the Gulshan Division of the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and was later posted as Additional Superintendent of Police at the Jhenaidah In-Service Training Centre.

The Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that the relevant summary for compulsory retirement had already been signed by the Home Minister, Mr. Salahuddin Ahmed. The process now requires further approval from the Prime Minister’s Office before being forwarded to the President for final endorsement. A formal government gazette notification will be issued after presidential approval.

The notification states that while serving in a responsible position within the police force, Saklayen allegedly developed an ethically inappropriate close personal relationship with film actress Porimoni, outside the scope of his official duties. Authorities considered this conduct inconsistent with the expected professional and ethical standards of the police service.

The matter first gained widespread public attention following a high-profile criminal case in 2021, involving allegations of attempted rape and murder at a private club in Savar. The case, filed by Porimoni on 14 June 2021 against businessman Nasir U Mahmud, initially placed Saklayen in charge of supervising the investigation. However, allegations of a personal relationship between the officer and the complainant later surfaced, prompting his removal from the investigative role and the formation of an internal inquiry committee.

At the time, the controversy became a subject of intense public debate and media scrutiny, raising questions about professional boundaries within law enforcement.

Key developments in the case

During the period of controversy, Porimoni publicly commented on the allegations involving Saklayen, stating that she was uncertain about the claims of a romantic relationship and suggesting that the situation may have been driven by personal hostility or misinterpretation. She also expressed that Saklayen was a capable officer and described the disciplinary action taken against him as unusual and unfair, adding that she felt sympathy for his situation.

The case has continued to draw attention due to its intersection of law enforcement accountability, public perception, and the personal conduct of officials involved in sensitive investigations.