Police officer Saklain sent into forced retirement over Pori Moni affair

The government has sent DMP’s former additional deputy commissioner Golam Saklain into forced retirement over his extra-marital affair with film actress Pori Moni back in 2021.

The Home Ministry issued a notification on Thursday, confirming the disciplinary measures against Saklain, who is now serving as the additional superintendent at the Jhenidah-in-Service Police Training Centre.

On 17 June, President Mohammed Shahabuddin approved the “major punishment” against Saklain following a green signal in this regard from the Public Service Commission.

Earlier, a comprehensive disciplinary probe, and two rounds of explanations from Saklain confirmed his breach of code of conduct, the home ministry said in the notification.

Saklain tarnished the government’s image by engaging in unethical relationships with Pori Moni at a time when he was married to another woman, and had a child, the notification added.

He also allowed Pori Moni to use his government-allotted apartment in the absence of his wife, the notification said.

Videos of Saklain’s intimate moments with Pori Moni surfaced online in August 2021, when Saklain was serving as a senior investigating officer in a controversial lawsuit filed by the actress.

The timing of the extra-marital engagement drew serious concerns that the affair could influence and misguide Saklain’s investigation works in the case.

Following media reports and social media uproar, the then Awami League regime transferred Saklain to the public order management division from the detective branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and a formed disciplinary investigation committee.

Almost two months before the matter gained public attention, Pori Moni had filed a case alleging businessman Nasir Uddin Mahmud raped her and also attempted to murder her at the Dhaka Boat Club.

Saklain was appointed as the senior investigating officer in the case.

On 18 July 2021, Nasir filed a counter lawsuit, alleging Pori Moni engaged in attempted murder, beating and vandalism.

On 4 August, RAB detained her from her Banani house with intoxicating liquor.

During a total seven-day interrogation period, she confessed that she stayed for 18 hours at Saklain’s allotted apartment in the Madhumati Police Officers Quarters, Rajarbagh.

On 1 September, she was released on bail.