NBR official suspended over leak of confidential tariff negotiation document

A senior official of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has been suspended over allegations of leaking a classified government document tied to sensitive trade negotiations with the United States.

Mukitul Hasan, second secretary at the NBR's Customs Policy Wing, was removed from duty following an internal probe. According to the suspension order, Mukitul breached official discipline by disclosing a "highly confidential state document".

Later, a case was filed with the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police station under the Official Secrets Act.

Sources within the NBR say the document in question relates to an ongoing tariff negotiation between Bangladesh and the United States, talks that are being held under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). The contents of such discussions are not legally permitted to be shared publicly by either side.

Mukitul Hasan was directly involved in the negotiation process, representing Bangladesh in the high-level talks.

 The suspension order was signed and issued by NBR Chairman and Internal Resources Division (IRD) Secretary Abdur Rahman Khan today (16 July). Speaking to The Business Standard, the NBR chairman confirmed the official's suspension and disclosed that legal proceedings have already been initiated. 

The incident gained wider attention after a local Bangla media outlet briefly published a report based on the leaked document. The report was later taken down, but not before drawing major public attention and scrutiny from officials resulting in immediate internal action.

Meanwhile, the government also suspended M Zillur Rahman, deputy director of Central Intelligence Cell.

IRD issued the suspension order stating that Zillur was suspended for publicly tearing his transfer order.

Both of them have been made an officer on special duty.

Yesterday, another 14 officials of NBR were suspended for 'publicly tearing up' their transfer orders.