NBR suspends four senior officers for ‘organising role’ in May-June protests

Two additional commissioners, a joint commissioner and a deputy commissioner face action after earlier punishments sparked criticism

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has suspended four senior officers for their alleged role in organising the May-June protests against a government order to split the revenue agency.

After weeks of quiet, the move on Monday marks another round of punitive measures against agitators.

The suspended officers are additional commissioners AAM Amimul Ehsan Khan and Sadhan Kumar Kundu, joint commissioner Md Sanowarul Kabir, and deputy commissioner Mohammad Saidul Islam.

In four separate orders, the Internal Resources Division made them officers on special duty (OSD).

Earlier, the government had taken steps, including compulsory retirement, suspension and transfers against protesting officers. Facing criticism, the NBR limited its actions to transfers, but has now resumed suspensions after nearly a month.

According to the orders, the four acted as organisers during protests against the ordinance creating two separate NBR wings -- Revenue Management and Revenue Policy.

They allegedly obstructed colleagues from official duties, forced staff to join protests at the NBR headquarters, and disrupted import-export operations. Disciplinary action has been launched against them.

The government had issued the ordinance in May, but following staff resistance and work stoppages, the finance ministry announced on May 22 that amendments would be made and existing structures would remain in place until then.

Despite the concession, protests escalated.

On Jun 28, NBR staff declared a “complete shutdown”, halting revenue operations nationwide.

The interim government then declared NBR services “essential” and urged staff to resume work immediately.

A five-member advisory committee was formed to resolve the crisis, while business leaders mediated. The strike was withdrawn, but the Anti-Corruption Commission soon began inquiries into 16 protest leaders for alleged corruption.

Since then, the NBR has steadily moved against agitators, including forcing senior officers into retirement and suspending protest organisers one by one.