Photo : Collected
Mizanur Rahman is an officer of the security branch of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB). Serious allegations have been raised against him, including human trafficking and various other crimes committed under the guise of employment. Despite these grave accusations, the authorities have not taken any substantial action against Mizanur Rahman.
On April 21, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) sent a letter to the CAAB chairman regarding Mizan's alleged involvement in corrupt practices, urging an investigation into the matter.
Like Mizan, ACC has sent letters about allegations against at least 37 other CAAB officers and employees involved with major projects. In light of the letter, a kind of panic has spread. Rumors have started that many may flee the country like before.
Additionally, over a hundred employees of CAAB, Biman Bangladesh Airlines (commonly known as Biman) and other agencies accused of involvement in various smuggling and other crimes are still active at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), despite intelligence reports recommending their transfer from HSIA. As no action has been taken against them, these officers are also being investigated.
Those involved in the investigation said irregularities are happening in the engineering department, accounts branch, license renewal branch, air traffic control, property branch, old goods procurement and sales branch, and welfare branch. Information has also been obtained about irregularities in radar repair, calibration, installation of explosive detection systems, procurement of spare parts for boarding bridges, development of Khan Jahan Ali Airport, development of Saidpur Airport, overlaying of runway at Osmani International Airport in Sylhet, Cox's Bazar Airport, construction of terminal building at Osmani International Airport, overlaying of runway at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram, parallel taxiway, runway extension and expansion of existing terminal, construction of terminal building at Cox's Bazar Airport, runway extension and development-related mega projects.
The ACC letter asks whether CAAB has taken any action against the listed officers and employees and whether there are any departmental cases against them. It also asks whether any kind of departmental approval has been obtained for acquiring movable or immovable assets and operating business establishments in the names of the officers, employees and their dependents. Additionally, it has demanded nine types of documents including works of seven types of projects.
The letter further states that some engineering department officers and employees are involved in various irregularities. As a result, the names of the listed contracting firms, committee decisions, work orders, bills and vouchers paid, approved estimates for various projects, tenders, notices (newspaper clippings), submitted tenders, tender evaluation committee decisions, and work orders have been requested.
Regarding this, Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman, Chairman of Civil Aviation, said, “ACC has been investigating the activities of CAAB and aviation for a long time. The organisation reveals which sectors have more corruption. As there were more allegations about 36 sectors in CAAB, these investigations have started. Some are making money by commercialising the service. With ACC's assistance, we will take strict action against these corrupt officers.”
Meanwhile, ACC has already made a list. The list states that funds have been embezzled in the name of works such as installation of air conditioning ducts, upgrading of air conditioning systems, installation of counters and conveyor belts, supply of their equipment, installation of new boarding bridges, supply and installation of equipment in old boarding bridges, purchase and fitting of LED lights at various locations of the airport, garden lighting, installation of HT and LT switchgear at HSIA.
In addition, there are allegations of irregularities in the installation of floor-mounted and wall-mounted panels at the airport, supply of various sizes of power cables, installation of airfield ground lighting systems, supply of runway, taxiway, apron lights and light fittings, internal electrification work in residential buildings, supply of various equipment including EM-related work for the new CAAB head office building, decoration-related EM work for terminal buildings and other buildings of the airport, installation of apron mast lights at various locations, all EM work related to CCR building, supply and installation of various sizes of cables for runway lighting
Messenger/Fameema
