ACC opens probe into Biman director who ‘hid’ investigation report

ACC says he owns seven coaches worth around Tk 100 million

The Anti-Corruption Commission has launched an open inquiry against Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ Director Mohammad Mominul Islam over allegations of corruption, abuse of power and amassing wealth beyond means.

The Special Investigation Unit has been tasked with the inquiry, ACC Director General Akhtar Hossain said on Wednesday.

According to the ACC, while serving as acting director (administration), Mominul allegedly removed two internal reports prepared by Biman’s central investigation unit recommending his dismissal in 2006 and 2022.

He is also accused of acquiring luxury houses, hefty bank balances, investments in the stock market, and other illegal assets. The ACC said he owns seven air-conditioned superior coaches worth around Tk 100 million operating on the Dhaka-Kushtia route.

Further allegations include changing Biman’s travel allowance policy during his tenure, causing a financial loss of about Tk 15 million, and unlawfully approving $16,185 in allowances for engineers, in violation of administrative orders.

Meanwhile, the ACC has approved prosecution of former religious affairs minister Motiur Rahman’s private secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad, also former director general of the Bureau of Non-Formal Education, for allegedly acquiring illegal wealth worth over Tk 125 million.

Citing its inquiry, the agency said Azad had acquired assets worth Tk 123.4 million through abuse of office.

It alleged that in his 2022 wealth statement, Azad concealed Tk 160.3 million worth of assets and provided false information.

According to the inquiry, his total wealth amounted to Tk 180.4 million, but only Tk 61.9 million could be traced to legitimate income sources. The remainder was deemed disproportionate to known sources of income, the ACC said.