Customs official suspended over corruption charge

A senior customs official has been suspended for corruption and staying overseas without permission.

Internal Resources Division Secretary Ghulam Hussain on Thursday issued the suspension order for Commissioner (Customs and Bond Commissionerate) M Hafizur Rahman, who went to the UK on a study leave last year and did not return.

File Photo

The order said the suspension would have retroactive effect from Mar 15 this year.

Rahman, a member of BCS Customs and Excise cadre, went to study MBA at Coventry University but even as his leave ended, he continued to overstay there the UK.

The order said the authorities launched probe against him after several national dailies published news on his ‘unethical activities’ including amassing wealth illegally.

The investigation found that he held 75 percent ownership of a freight forwarding company, Best Logistics Limited, bought several flats, fixed deposit receipts (FDR) and saving certificates by the illegally earned money, and operated business entities in Dubai and London.

The IRD Secretary on Oct 13 sent Rahman’s suspension recommendation to State Minister for Finance MA Mannan as Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith was abroad.

Muhith endorsed the suspension on Oct 19.