United News of Bangladesh

The government has withdrawn Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Sylhet Md Sarwoer Alam. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification in this regard on Sunday, attaching him to the ministry as a deputy secretary. Sarwoer Alam said he was asked to join the Ministry of Public Administration on Monday. A member of the 27th Bangladesh Civil Service (Administration) cadre, Sarwoer Alam gained national attention during his tenure as an executive magistrate with the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). While serving as a senior assistant secretary, he led more than 300 drives against food adulteration and various irregularities, earning widespread public appreciation for his enforcement efforts. On November 9, 2020, he was transferred to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment as a senior assistant secretary. After being overlooked for promotion three times, he was promoted to the rank of deputy secretary on August 14, 2024 following the fall of the Awami League government in the face of a mass upsurge. Earlier, Sarwoer Alam had publicly expressed frustration over being denied promotion through a Facebook post. The then Awami League government treated the post as misconduct and imposed a disciplinary punishment of reprimand. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification regarding the punishment in May 2022.

A Sylhet court issued a show-cause notice to Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Sarwoer Alam over his alleged role in the dismissal of teachers at an English-medium institution in the city. On Thursday, the court of Senior Assistant Judge in Sylhet passed the order, asking the DC to submit written explanations within 15 working days. According to court sources, two teachers and the vice-principal of Sylhet Khajanchibari International School and College (SKISC) were recently dismissed. Challenging the legality of the decision, senior teacher Abeda Haque filed a petition to the court. The petition alleged that the teachers’ dismissal was carried out unlawfully by exerting administrative influence. Ex-BNP leader held in Sylhet stone looting case After reviewing the petition, the court noted that the DC’s role appeared questionable, with initial signs of violating earlier court directives, and ordered him to explain why legal action should not be taken against him. On Sunday evening, DC Sarwoer told the media, “We have not yet received any notice from the court. Once we get it, we will respond accordingly.” Advocate Irshadul Haque, who is representing the petitioner, said in the interest of justice, the court issued the show-cause notice to the Deputy Commissioner. “We expect the matter will be resolved through a proper investigation and judicial process,” he added.