Dhaka: The Home Ministry has issued a statement protesting the dissemination of false and misleading information regarding police officer Nihar Ranjan Howlader across several media platforms, including online portals and private television channels.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the statement clarifies that reports claiming Nihar Ranjan Howlader was demoted from his position as Superintendent of Police to Additional Superintendent due to an unpaid loan of approximately Tk 7 lakh are inaccurate. The ministry highlighted that these allegations surfaced in various online news outlets, such as RTV, Desh TV, Dainik Ittefaq, Dainik Kaler Kantho, and Bangladesh Pratidin, on August 26, 2025.
The statement emphasized that Nihar Ranjan Howlader's demotion was not solely due to the non-payment of a loan. Instead, three departmental cases were filed against him for multiple offenses throughout his career. While one case involved the non-payment of a loan, the allegations were substantiated following a thorough investigation. Consequently, the officer was reprimanded under specific disciplinary rules for misconduct.
In a related development, a notification issued on August 21, under memorandum number 240 and signed by Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Nasimul Ghani, outlined the reprimand. Additionally, on June 22, 2023, a separate departmental case resulted in Nihar Ranjan Howlader being demoted to a lower grade for three years, as per a notification signed by the then Senior Secretary of the Public Security Division of the Home Ministry, Md. Mostafizur Rahman.
Furthermore, a third departmental case led to another demotion after allegations were confirmed through investigation. A notification under Memorandum No. 217 on December 8, 2024, decreed a one-year demotion to a lower pay grade step, with no future adjustments to his salary.
The Home Ministry's statement underscores the misleading nature of reports published by several online news portals and stresses the importance of accurate reporting. These platforms have been requested to publish the ministry's "reply letter" in its entirety to correct the public record.