11 NBR officials dismissed, sent on retirement in 9 months as crackdown continues

At least 11 customs and tax officials have been either dismissed or sent into forced retirement in recent months as the revenue authority – now led by Abdur Rahman Khan – presses ahead with a purge of those implicated in irregularities, corruption, and professional misconduct.

According to sources at the National Board of Revenue (NBR), two other officials have voluntarily resigned, while at least five lower-ranking officers and staff members have also faced disciplinary actions.

Both current and former NBR officials told TBS that action against such a large number of officials in a span of nine months is unprecedented.

Within just a week this month, four officials were sent into forced retirement, one of whom is related to former president Abdul Hamid's family.

Sources indicate that at least 30 more officials are under investigation by the NBR and other government agencies, including the Income Tax Intelligence and Investigation Unit under the NBR.

During pre-budget discussions with stakeholders this month, NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan has repeatedly talked about taking action against officials involved in misconduct within the institution. 

"You have already noticed some of this action. You will see more in the future," he told reporters at an event recently.

In another discussion, the NBR chief also urged people to present evidence-based complaints against corrupt officials.

Civil society members have labelled NBR's efforts as a "purge campaign".

Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), told TBS, "Given the changing circumstances, this is something that was expected from the current NBR leadership…There is now a public expectation and pressure on the NBR, and they are responding accordingly. This initiative should be appreciated."

"The NBR has become an institution where honest taxpayers are harassed, while tax evaders, abusers of power, and those involved in money laundering find a safe haven," he said, adding that some NBR officials play the role of facilitators in tax evasion.

"This purge should not be limited to just a handful of officials. Measures must also be taken against others involved in irregularities," Iftekharuzzaman added. 

A former member of the NBR's income tax department, on condition of anonymity, said, "We've never seen action taken against more than a dozen cadre officers within just nine months. In the current context, this truly appears to be a purge."

Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem, who served as NBR chairman for four and a half years, was assisted by Mohammad Nairuzzaman as his personal secretary during that time.

Speaking to TBS, Nairuzzaman said, "During that period, we did not see such a large number of officials face disciplinary action. Only a few minor punitive measures were taken."

Officials dismissed, sent into retirement:

According to two separate gazette notifications from the Internal Resource Division of the Finance Ministry, additional tax commissioners – Mohammad Mahmuduzzaman and Md Shafiqul Islam Akand – were forced into retirement on 23 April.

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.

On 17 April, the NBR sent two top officials –  Abu Sayeed Md Mustaque, a member, and Golam Kabir, a commissioner of the income tax wing – into forced retirement over allegations of irregularities and corruption.

All four discussed officers have been sent into retirement "in the public interest" under Section 45 of the Public Service Rules. According to this provision, after a government employee completes 25 years of service, they may be sent on retirement in the public interest without any explanation, if deemed necessary.

The two officials sent into retirement on 17 April were working in the Dhaka Tax Zone 5 when allegations of irregularities arose. The much-discussed case involving SM Faruqi Hasan, chairman of Protik Group, who allegedly brought hundreds of crores of taka into the country without paying taxes, and later certified these funds as remittance, occurred while the two officers were in charge.

In connection with the money laundering case involving the Chattogram-based S Alam Group, allegations of providing illegal benefits led to the dismissal of then additional commissioner Saiful Alam, joint commissioner AKM Shamsuzzaman, and assistant commissioner Aminul Islam on 17 October last year. However, some of them were reinstated after appealing.

On 22 August last year, former Customs commissioner Mohammad Enamul Haque, accused of corruption, was sent into forced retirement. Investigations are ongoing by the ACC against this official.

Shah Mohammad Maruf, an additional commissioner of Income Tax, has been dismissed over allegations of a "tendency toward corruption," according to a government order.

Mousumi Sarker and Fahmida Mahjabeen, deputy commissioners of customs, were relieved from their posts based on their applications, with no allegations mentioned.

Fakhrul Amin Chowdhury, a joint commissioner, has been temporarily dismissed under the Government Employees Discipline Rules for misconduct.

Former commissioner of VAT AKM Mahbubur Rahman and joint commissioner Lutful Kabir were dismissed due to allegations of misconduct. However, customs officers believe that Rahman's dismissal was more due to pressure from administration officials, following his controversial comments.

Additionally, some lower-level revenue officers and assistant revenue officers have also been dismissed.

A sense of fear and uncertainty now prevails among those accused of corruption, wondering who will be next to face the consequences.

Fear of allegations grips even 'honest officials'

NBR officials told TBS that, alongside corrupt individuals, relatively honest and innocent officials are also facing allegations, being filed with the ACC, NBR, and other intelligence agencies, often as a means to gain undue advantages or serve personal interests.

They said that certain individuals claiming to be journalists or linked with little-known media outlets are either publishing reports or threatening to do so in order to extract illegal benefits.

Meanwhile, due to the evolving situation and rising security concerns, many officials are now reluctant to carry out large-scale field operations, resulting in a noticeable slowdown in NBR's field-level activities.

"Complaints are being filed not just against dishonest officers, but also against honest ones. Some are using media reports to create pressure, causing fear and discomfort among innocent officials," one NBR official said, on condition of anonymity.

Syed Md Aminul Karim, former NBR member, told TBS, "Steps should be taken with caution to ensure that innocent officials are not harmed. Otherwise, instability may spread within the NBR's various departments."