Unapproved absence, self-approved passport ‘breach’ lead to officer’s dismissal

Shahinur Rahman, assistant director of the Department of Immigration and Passports, has been relieved of duty from government service for remaining absent from duty for months without approval and for alleged misconduct.

The Public Security Division under the home ministry issued a notification on Monday confirming the decision, adding that the official faces accusations of “misconduct” and “absconding”.

According to the order, Shahinur was transferred on May 30, 2024, from the Agargaon Divisional Passport and Visa Office in Dhaka to the regional passport office in Gopalganj.

However, he did not join his new post, instead submitting a resignation application on Jul 9 that year.

Before his application was accepted, he stopped attending the office. Authorities issued a show-cause notice, but he did not respond.

Later, he was attached to the department’s headquarters in Dhaka. He still failed to report for duty, remaining absent without permission for about 141 days, the notification said.

It also added that while he was posted at the divisional office, Shahinur applied for a passport identifying his occupation as “teacher”, concealing his government employee status. He processed the application by himself and approved his own passport—an act deemed a breach of conduct under public service rules.

A departmental case was initiated against him, but the officer did not reply to the charges or seek a personal hearing, the ministry said.

Citing the allegations as proven under service regulations, the order announced Shahinur’s dismissal from government employment.