While the process was on for getting President and Chief Adviser Iajuddin Ahmed's signature on the transfer order, a "politically appointed" official of the former prime minister's office intervened and halted it, well-placed sources said.

The decision to transfer the 42 police officials taken by the three-member advisory council headed by the chief adviser ultimately did not get the president's signature.

The two other members of the council are Dhiraj Kumar Nath and Dr Sufia Rahman.

Had the president signed in the transfer order, a government order was supposed to be published before implementing it.

The advisory council formed on November 7 agreed in principle to transfer all SPs, deputy commissioners (DCs), upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) and officers-in-charge (OCs) of police stations across the country as part of its move to reshuffle in both the police and civil administration.

The council also decided not to task officials, who had been attached to the prime minister's office in the last five years, with any duty related with election.

It also decided to execute the November 6 transfer order of 33 SPs, which has been kept suspended through a verbal order.

If necessary, some changes may be brought into the transfers, but it will take effect soon, said a source.

The advisory council also decided to bring changes in the posts of field-level officers who have been serving at the same office for over two years.

The government transferred 58 UNOs on Tuesday but sources said the transfer order has several officials who joined their stations only a few months ago.