Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the national flag carrier, is facing renewed scrutiny after an internal security investigation accused one of its junior ground service officials of running a bribery network, abusing colleagues, harassing female staff, and illegally holding a political party post — all while the airline claims it was unaware of his political role.
The official, Feroz-uz-Zaman Mamun Molla—who also holds a central leadership position in BNP—allegedly earned nearly Tk84 lakh within six months by selling duty rosters and hajj postings, according to preliminary findings by Biman’s security department.
Investigators further found evidence of prolonged absenteeism, repeated disciplinary violations, intimidation of subordinates, and the systematic misuse of authority for personal gain.
Despite the scale of the alleged misconduct, Molla remained in service for months — a delay that has now raised serious questions about Biman’s internal oversight, accountability mechanisms, and enforcement of government service rules.
According to the investigation, Molla used his position to control duty schedules and lucrative hajj-related postings, demanding money from employees in exchange for favourable assignments.
Between 30 March and 24 September 2025, he allegedly collected payments via bKash through a group of close associates, including Shamawn Sarkar, Kazi Matiur Rahman, and Md Mashiur Rahman.
Biman officials say that the initial inquiry shows he illegally amassed around Tk84 lakh during this six-month period alone.
The report describes this as a “commercialisation of internal posting mechanisms” — effectively turning official duty rosters into a private business operation.
Investigators found that Molla had remained absent from his assigned duties for more than a year during office hours. He also failed to wear Biman’s designated uniform, a direct breach of service regulations.
More troubling are the claims that he routinely threatened junior staff, forced them into unlawful activities, and used fear to maintain control.
Multiple Biman employees have given written testimony against him.
The investigation states that he “systematically exploited subordinates for personal benefit” and maintained what it calls an informal, unaccounted financial network.
The inquiry also uncovered evidence of inappropriate conduct toward junior female employees.
The investigation found that his conduct towards junior female employees included sending indecent WhatsApp messages, making explicit proposals, engaging in abusive behaviour, issuing threats and intimidation, and displaying unprofessional and offensive conduct, all of which constituted serious violations of workplace ethics and disciplinary rules.
One of the most serious complaints came from the husband of a female employee, Jannatul Jinan. In a written complaint, he said he discovered what he described as an “immoral relationship” between his wife and Molla after reviewing WhatsApp messages.
He alleged that when he confronted Molla by phone, the official denied the claims and threatened him, warning him not to “go too far”.
The complainant further said his wife had been visiting Molla’s home under his influence.
On 9 September, he claims he caught Molla at his own residence. Molla allegedly fled, leaving behind three mobile phones, which were later submitted to the office.
The complainant said the prolonged contact between his wife and Molla ultimately destroyed his marriage.
Molla, however, denied these allegations in a written response, claiming Jinan was his junior colleague and that their communications were both official and unofficial in nature. He said the WhatsApp messages were related to personal loan transactions and insisted there was no inappropriate relationship.
Attempts to contact Jinan were unsuccessful, as her phone was found switched off.
The investigation also found that Molla frequently borrowed money from junior colleagues and failed to repay it.
Under Biman’s service rules, borrowing from subordinates itself constitutes misconduct, regardless of repayment.
This pattern of behaviour further reinforced allegations that he exploited his position for personal advantage.
On 4 January, Biman authorities issued a show-cause notice to Molla, accusing him of exceeding the limits of his authority, engaging in corruption, abusing his power, violating administrative orders, conducting illegal financial transactions, extorting money from junior staff, and behaving unethically toward female employees, all of which were described as serious breaches of service rules and institutional discipline.
The notice warned that if he failed to respond within seven working days, a unilateral decision would be taken.
Repeated attempts by TIMES of Bangladesh to contact Molla for comment via phone and SMS went unanswered.
Biman’s General Manager (Public Relations), Boshra Islam, told TIMES that the investigation is ongoing.
“Molla has already been served a show-cause notice. Once we receive his response, action will be taken in accordance with the law,” she said.
She added that multiple serious irregularities had been found during the preliminary inquiry.
When asked why Molla remained in service despite such grave allegations, Boshra said government service dismissals require formal procedures that can take time.
Perhaps the most politically sensitive dimension of the case is Molla’s alleged role within BNP, the largest political entity of the country in the absence of Awami League.
Several Biman officials told TIMES that Molla is the central assistant labour affairs secretary of BNP, and that he used this political identity to exert influence at work.
After the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024, he allegedly portrayed himself as especially powerful and used that perception to intimidate colleagues.
The security report corroborates this claim, stating that he used fear and political leverage to force compliance.
Boshra said that under the 1986 service ordinance, no government employee is allowed to hold a political party post.
However, she added that Molla was involved with a labour union, which is why his political identity was not investigated.
This admission has triggered criticism from governance experts, who say Biman’s failure to monitor political affiliations reflects a deeper problem of weak oversight.
Former additional secretary and government service rules expert Firoz Mia told TIMES that Biman, as a state-owned enterprise, must strictly enforce political neutrality.
“Holding a political party post while serving in a government institution is clearly against service rules,” he said.
“If this is ignored, others will be encouraged to do the same. This will create a culture of indiscipline and politicisation.”
He added that the official must either resign from his job or step down from his political position.
BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said the party has not yet been formally notified.
“If a written complaint is submitted, or if he is finally dismissed from service, the BNP will take action under party rules,” he said.
He insisted the party does not protect wrongdoing.
“If any of our leaders are involved in irregularities using party influence, we will take action.”
