A legal notice has been sent demanding that the entire baggage handling process at airports, from aircraft cargo holds to baggage belts, be brought under CCTV surveillance and live-streamed for passengers to monitor in a bid to prevent theft.
Supreme Court lawyer Md Mahmudul Hasan Mamun sent the notice on Monday to the secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the chairmen of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh and the Anti-Corruption Commission, and the managing director and chief executive officer of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
The notice was also sent to the directors and managers of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Shah Amanat International Airport, Osmani International Airport and the airports in Cox’s Bazar, Saidpur, Rajshahi, Jashore and Barishal.
Persistent theft allegations
The notice said airports serve as Bangladesh’s gateway to the international community, but arriving and departing passengers, tourists, foreign diplomats, businesspeople and particularly expatriate workers have long faced luggage theft.
It alleged that a dishonest syndicate cuts open locked luggage between its removal from aircraft cargo holds and delivery to conveyor belts, stealing valuables including mobile phones, laptops, gold jewellery and cash.
Such incidents cause financial losses and harassment to passengers and damage Bangladesh’s international image, the notice said.
According to the lawyer, such acts violate the right to property under Article 42 and the right to life under Article 32 of the Constitution.
CCTV coverage demanded
The notice pointed to inadequate surveillance and CCTV “blind spots” in runway and baggage-sorting areas, alleging that ground-handling staff and loaders exploit those gaps to commit theft.
It demanded high-quality CCTV coverage of the entire baggage-handling process, from unloading luggage from aircraft cargo holds and placing it on trolleys to moving it across ramp areas and transferring it to baggage belts.
The notice also called for the process to be broadcast live on large screens in arrival lounges.
It further demanded that any luggage opened by customs or security agencies for inspection or security checks be searched on camera and shown live to the passenger concerned.
Recruitment reform, ACC oversight
The legal notice also called for an end to bribery and irregularities in recruiting airport loaders, ground-handling staff and security personnel.
It argued that employees appointed through corruption could become involved in luggage theft to recover money illegally paid to secure their jobs.
To prevent such practices, the notice demanded active institutional monitoring by the Anti-Corruption Commission and the introduction of a merit-based, transparent recruitment system.
10-day deadline
The notice asked the authorities to take necessary administrative and legal steps within 10 days to introduce live CCTV coverage of baggage handling, ensure transparent luggage searches and establish a transparent recruitment process under ACC oversight.
It warned that further legal action would be taken to protect passengers’ rights and the country’s image if the demands were not met within the deadline.
