Biman Bangladesh Airlines has transferred Md Moinuddin Lotus, an official of the cargo division at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, to its District Sales Office (DSO) in Motijheel of Dhaka, amid allegations of irregularities in cargo duty rosters.
The airline’s administration branch issued a transfer and deputation order on Sunday afternoon, appointing Lotus as Assistant Manager (Commercial) at the Commercial DSO, Motijheel.
According to the order, Lotus, who was serving in the cargo section at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, was directed to be stand released from his current workplace on the afternoon of 7 September and join his new posting by 8 September.
The transfer came after an intelligence agency submitted an investigation report on allegations of a “roster business” and other irregularities in the airport’s cargo sector.
The report identified several Biman cargo officials and employees, including Lotus, and recommended their transfer to other stations along with legal action against those found involved.
According to the report, a monthly bribery arrangement allegedly existed in the airport’s import cargo section, where some helpers paid Tk5,000 to Tk7,000 each to secure preferred duties or inclusion in specific rosters.
The report alleged that officials involved in the scheme earned hundreds of thousands of taka monthly through the alleged roster business.
It further said the practice allowed the same individuals or groups to repeatedly secure important duty assignments, creating an influential syndicate in the cargo section.
According to the report, such activities increased the risk of serious irregularities, including theft of goods, document forgery and removal of cargo without completing customs clearance and duty assessment procedures.
The intelligence report listed Lotus as Commercial Assistant Manager, Cargo, among the officials and employees accused of involvement.
Lotus, however, has previously denied the allegations, saying he was not involved in any illegal activities and that the claims against him were false.
The investigation report also highlighted an incident involving the release of 4,237 kg of fabric imported from China. It said the goods were taken out of the cargo area using fake documents without a proper bill of entry, customs clearance or duty assessment.
The report said the incident involved alleged collusion between dishonest elements within Biman and customs officials.
Following the findings, the report recommended introducing automated roster management in the cargo sector and transferring officials and employees who have remained in the same positions for a long time and face allegations of irregularities.
It also recommended legal action if the allegations are proven.
Amid the allegations and discussions over reforms in cargo management, Biman issued the transfer order on 7 September, moving Lotus out of the cargo division.
