The government has terminated the contractual appointment of Biman Bangladesh Airlines' Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman as he is now behind bars in relation to abuse of a minor housemaid at his residence.
In view of the breach of discipline under Regulations no. 55 of the Bangladesh Biman Corporation Employees (Service) Regulations 1979, contractual appointment of Dr Shafiqur as MD and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines has been cancelled in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 30(C) of the Bangladesh Biman Act 2023, read the notification.
The government has also made a new appointment to the vacant post. Dr Humayra Sultana, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, has been appointed to the position on an additional charge basis.
A separate notification issued in this regard stated that Dr Humayra Sultana has been assigned the responsibilities of MD and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited as an additional charge. She will continue to perform these duties until a new MD is appointed.
A total of 14 aircraft-eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two 787-9, and four 737-8 MAX jets-would be purchased under the proposed agreement, at an initial list value of approximately USD 3.7 billion.
Negotiations have entered their final phase, with senior airline and government officials signalling that a formal contract could be signed soon.
Meanwhile, the Income Tax Intelligence and Investigation Unit has sought bank account details of sacked Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Md. Shafiqur Rahman and his wife Bithi Akter, who were arrested recently.
In letters issued to all scheduled banks on Tuesday (February 3), the National Board of Revenue (NBR) unit requested comprehensive financial information under Section 200 of the Income Tax Act, 2023.
Banks have been asked to provide details of all accounts held by Shafiqur Rahman, Bithi Akter and their family members-individually or jointly-as well as accounts of any business entities owned by them. The request covers fixed deposits (FDR), STD, savings and current accounts, loan accounts, student files, foreign currency accounts, credit cards, lockers or vaults, savings certificates, treasury bills and bonds.
Statements of transactions from July 1, 2018 to date, along with information on collateral pledged against loans, have been sought within seven days.
Shafiqur Rahman and his wife were arrested from their residence in Uttara on charges of brutally torturing an 11-year-old domestic worker. They are currently in jail. Two other accused-housemaids Rupali Khatun and Mosammat Sufia Begum-were also sent to jail.
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