Joint Secretary Anisur Rahman removed following neglect of mother

The government has removed Joint Secretary AKM Anisur Rahman from his position as Member (Engineering and Development) of the Mongla Port Authority following the death of his 75-year-old mother, Nurjahan Begum, at a residence in Mirpur, Dhaka.

A notification to this effect was issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Wednesday (3 June).

According to the order, Anisur Rahman has been relieved of his duties at the Mongla Port Authority and attached to the Ministry of Public Administration.

Earlier in the day, State Minister for Public Administration Md Abdul Bari said action would be taken against him under the Parents Maintenance Act. He added that due process, including obtaining Anisur Rahman's statement, would be followed.

On 31 May, police recovered the body of Nurjahan Begum from a house in Mirpur-11. Officers responded after receiving a call through the national emergency service 999.

Police said the body had decomposed significantly. Local residents who were present at the scene claimed the house was dirty and poorly maintained. Authorities were alerted after neighbours noticed a foul smell.

Pallabi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Hasan Basir said Nurjahan Begum had been living with her daughter at the residence.

"The house was in a very unhygienic condition," he said.

The OC also noted that one of Nurjahan's sons is a joint secretary, while another is a teacher at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. Her daughter works as a school teacher.

The circumstances surrounding Nurjahan Begum's death have sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning whether her children had neglected their responsibilities toward her.