4 tax officials, including ex-president’s son-in-law, sent on forced retirement amid NBR crackdown
According to two separate gazette notifications signed by Zakir Hossain, assistant secretary of Tax Wing-2 of the IRD, Mohammad Mahmuduzzaman and Md Shafiqul Islam Akand were made to retire on 23 April
The Internal Resources Division (IRD) of the Finance Ministry has sent two additional tax commissioners into forced retirement, following similar action against two others last week, as part of a wider crackdown on alleged irregularities and corruption within the National Board of Revenue (NBR).
According to two separate gazette notifications signed by Zakir Hossain, assistant secretary of Tax Wing-2 of the IRD, Mohammad Mahmuduzzaman and Md Shafiqul Islam Akand were made to retire on 23 April.
Mahmuduzzaman had been serving as acting commissioner of the Tax Appeal Zone in Rajshahi, while Akand was holding the same post in the Tax Appeal Zone-1 in Dhaka.
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The notifications state, "As their service has completed 25 years, and since the government deems it necessary in public interest to retire them from government service, they have been retired under Section 45 of the Government Service Act, 2018."
Both officials will receive all benefits as per regulations upon retirement.
Mohammad Mahmuduzzaman is the son-in-law of former President Abdul Hamid. Speculations suggest this familial connection may have played a role in his forced retirement.
Others allege that during the Awami League's tenure, he was accused of corruption and abuse of power — which may have prompted the IRD's decision.
Meanwhile, Shafiqul Islam Akand reportedly faced tax-related allegations in the past, leading to a previous temporary suspension.
Earlier, on 17 April, two other tax commissioners — Golam Kabir and Abu Sayeed Md Mustaq — were also sent into forced retirement through separate gazette notifications.
Kabir was serving as a member of the Taxes Appellate Tribunal's dual bench in Khulna, while Mustaq was working as a member of the NBR in Dhaka.
Sources at the NBR said the revenue authority is currently conducting an internal "cleansing drive" to ensure transparency in tax collection and curb irregularities and corruption.
Officials against whom allegations have been substantiated are being penalised according to service rules and existing laws.
Measures being taken include forced retirement, temporary suspension, and show-cause notices.
