Biman Retains, Reassigns Officials Despite Proven Allegations

Despite substantiated allegations of major irregularities, no disciplinary action has been taken against the accused officials at Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Instead, they have been allowed to continue in their roles and even given new postings, although one of the officials reportedly never joined the assigned workplace. Multiple internal investigations at the airline have revealed these serious findings.

An investigation report by the airline’s security department on its Transport (MT) division has uncovered widespread irregularities in long-term fuel management, use of forged educational certificates, recruitment discrepancies, abuse of administrative authority, and the influence of a powerful syndicate in operational management.

At the center of the allegations is Mohammad Golam Amanullah Haque, then in-charge of the Chattogram station (MT) and a junior officer (scheduling). His nearly 40-month posting in Chattogram was reviewed in a departmental investigation, particularly focusing on serious irregularities in fuel usage during the last 18 months from January 2022 to June 2023. However, complainants claim that records from the remaining 22 months were deliberately excluded from the probe.

The investigation also alleges attempts to suppress the findings through influential quarters, along with claims that large sums of money were spent to influence investigators and concerned directors to avoid financial penalties and stricter disciplinary measures.

According to investigation documents, 48,858 liters of fuel were used between January 2022 and June 2023. In the following 18 months, consumption dropped to 38,609 liters. This shows a discrepancy of 10,249 liters between the two periods, valued at more than Tk 1.26 million. The investigation also found abnormal variations in kilometers-per-liter calculations. In some cases, fuel receipts exceeded the actual capacity of vehicle tanks, indicating possible manipulation.

A source involved in the investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity, said preliminary and departmental inquiries found serious irregularities, fuel misappropriation, and evidence of fraud. As a result, one annual increment was suspended and a financial penalty was imposed. Although he was transferred to the Biman Printing and Publication Division on May 3, he reportedly did not join the new post and is still working at the fuel pump, according to allegations.

When Agamir Somoy attempted to contact Mohammad Golam Amanullah Haque for comment, he initially answered the call but disconnected after confirming his identity without making any statement. Subsequent attempts to reach him were unsuccessful as his phone remained switched off.

A specific case cited in the investigation involved fuel irregularities on January 15, 2022, when driver Md. Harunur Rashid Talukder (G-52474) recorded 71 liters of fuel in a vehicle with a 70-litre tank (Dhaka Metro-51-5125). The inquiry committee noted that at least 2–3 liters of fuel normally remain in the tank if the vehicle is operational, meaning more than 67–68 liters cannot be added. The approval of this false record implicated then in-charge Golam Amanullah Haque and former district manager Mir Akhtaruzzaman. The report also states that an operator named Bashir Hossain was forced into compulsory leave after protesting the irregularities.

Despite serious allegations being substantiated, no strict administrative action has been taken against Mohammad Golam Amanullah Haque. Instead, during the tenure of then Managing Director and CEO Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, he was reportedly promoted and later moved back to the Transport (MT) division, despite having no official position in the Printing and Publication Department. Allegations further claim that a process was initiated to reassign him again to the Transport wing.

In a separate investigation into the use of forged certificates for recruitment, MT operator Md. Suman Mia (ID: G-53181, Casual ID: C-3980) was named. The investigation report states that he submitted two different SSC certificates during the recruitment process.

During interrogation, he reportedly admitted that a 2002 Dhaka Board certificate was entirely fake. His claimed 2007 Vocational certificate under the Technical Education Board was also confirmed as forged by the relevant authority.

The investigation further identified alleged links to a forgery network involving Senior System Analyst Shamsuzzaman Khan of the Technical Education Board. He is accused of operating a certificate forgery syndicate from a rented house in South Pirerbag. Each certificate was reportedly sold for Tk 30,000 to Tk 60,000, while fake online entries were created to make them appear authentic. These details were also reportedly admitted to the Detective Branch (DB) police, according to the report.

The investigation also mentioned several dismissed and controversial MT employees, including Md. Mizan (ID: G-50301), who was dismissed over fuel theft allegations and later arrested in connection with the theft of $5,500 from a crew member. Another name cited is Md. Shahin (GL: G-50338), who was dismissed on charges of gold smuggling.

The report states that both individuals are close relatives (nephews) of MT division senior official Kamal Uddin. Recent applications seeking reinstatement of such controversial employees have also drawn attention.

Allegations have also surfaced regarding syndicate influence in Hajj flight operations and duty allocations. It is claimed that even officials with disciplinary records or controversial backgrounds were assigned to sensitive and high-priority duties. Following the formation of a new Biman board on April 25, some officials allegedly influenced duty assignments through closed-door internal meetings.

The report also alleges that during the anti-discrimination student movement on August 4, 2024, some leaders and activists of the Biman Workers’ League (CBA) attacked students and the public in Uttara using sticks and weapons. It further documents incidents of vandalism, unrest, and the confinement of officials at the Balaka Bhaban following August 5.

It is also alleged that a syndicate led by Kamal Uddin recruited numerous individuals into Biman using forged certificates. The report further claims that then Managing Director and CEO Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and Director (Administration) Mominul Islam unlawfully promoted Kamal Uddin.