Despite finding proof of some Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) officers’ involvement in recruitment irregularities, promotion and corruption, no action was taken against them when the fascist Sheikh Hasina-led government was in power.

The issue of corruption of those people has come to the fore again after the fall of the Awami League (AL) government, and the interim government has formed a probe committee to investigate the matters.
Those officers are infamous as “four caliphs” at the BTRC. Among them are Commissioner Musfiq Mannan Choudhury, Director MA Taleb Hossain, and deputy directors Khaled Faisal Rahman and Sharmin Sultana.

They established their control over BTRC using their identity as relatives of influential people of the previous Awami League government. However, these four caliphs have retained their control on the commission changing guises with the change of regime.

After investigation, it was known that there are officials who were appointed and promoted through nepotism, irregularities and corruption at BTRC. Even after the allegations were proved as “true” in the investigation report, no administrative action was taken against the corrupt officials during the ousted Hasina’s rule.

Rather, these officers and employees became more powerful, breaching the rules and regulations as they were known as relatives of influential people of the ruling party at that time.
Recently, a complaint has been submitted to the Posts, Telecommunication and Information Technology Adviser’s office on behalf of oppressed and deprived officers and employees of BTRC.

From the complaint statement, it was known that irregularities occurred at different stages – from the recruitments of drivers to the commissioner, depriving those who were eligible candidates.
In the complaint, Commissioner Musfiq Mannan Choudhury, Director MA Taleb Hossain, deputy directors Khaled Faisal Rahman and Sharmin Sultana were accused of creating an unstable atmosphere at the BTRC during the tenure of the previous government as its beneficiaries.

In the complaint against Commissioner Musfiq Mannan Choudhury, it was stated that he was a pro-Awami teacher of Dhaka University (DU). In direct violation of Section 2 (f) of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulation Act 2001, the previous government appointed him while he was still working as a teacher at the university.

The rule regarding the appointment of the BTRC commissioner dictates that they must shun working relationships with other institutions. But Musfiq Mannan Choudhury did not leave his job at DU when he joined BTRC. Apart from this, he is one of the owners of World University of Bangladesh, a private university in the country.

Musfiq’s father Prof Abdul Mannan Chowdhury is the founder of World University and also vice-chancellor of the university. He sought Awami League nomination from the Cumilla-6 constituency in the 2024 national elections.

According to the complaint, Legal and Licensing Department Director MA Taleb Hossain was involved in unlimited corruption with regard to promotions and recruitments, using political influence. The main source of his power was his uncle HT Imam, former political adviser of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina. >>
Taleb was promoted from senior assistant director to deputy director in less than five months through misuse of power. Later he became a director of BTRC, defying service rules. There were several audit objections against him regarding these matters, stated the complaint.

Brushing aside the complaints, Taleb told the Daily Sun, “All the promotions have been done according to the rules. All audit objections have been resolved.”
Regarding the formation of a probe committee against him and others, he said, “So far I know that a probe committee has been formed by the ministry and the committee talked to the BTRC administration. The probe committee has not called me so far.”

According to the complaint, BTRC Deputy Director (Administration) Khaled Faisal Rahman got the job altering his age and without participating in any written examination. After joining BTRC, he got involved in recruitment trade and other malpractices. He was the “staff officer” of Shyam Sunder Sikder, former chairman of the BTRC, even though there was no post of “staff officer” at the organisation.
A source at BTRC said while Shyam Sunder Sikder was the secretary of the Post and Telecommunication Ministry and oversaw the launch of Bangabandhu Satellite, the first satellite of Bangladesh, Khaled assisted Sikder and got the chance to come close to him. Later, when Sikder became Chairman of BTRC, Khaled also became powerful.

Fazlur Rahman Sheikh got the highest marks in the written test of 2013 for the recruitment of assistant director. But Khaled Faisal played a key role in eliminating him (Fazlur) from the job on the charge of his involvement in the Chhatra Dal unit at Dhaka University. He even appointed Shahid Chowdhury in exchange of money who later became Faisal’s key collaborator in immoral activities, according to the complaint.

The complaint also stated that Khaled Faisal created a gang with third and fourth class employees of BTRC and they committed many misdeeds. There were also some audit objections against him but no action was taken during the previous regime.

When contacted for comments regarding the matter, Khaled said he was in a meeting and he would call later, but did not do so till this report was filed.
Meanwhile, the written complaint also stated that BTRC Deputy Director (Enforcement and Inspection Directorate) Sharmin Sultana was one of the top officers in BTRC who abused power. This deputy director directly joined the service by twisting her age and without attending any written test. Audit and ministry investigation found her guilty but no action was taken during the fascist AL regime.

While talking to Daily Sun, Sharmin Sultana said, “I was hired as assistant director in 2008, but I started my career at BTRC as a junior consultant in 2006. After that I was appointed as assistant director after facing an interview and that is why the age was not a factor for me. Besides, there is a certain rule of age modification here.”
She also said, “No one can show any document of financial corruption implicating me. I studied Telecommunication Management in the USA. I had lots of opportunities in private organisations, but, I wanted to serve my country and then started my career with a government office.”

The complaint stated that there are three pending audit objections against her from 2016-2017 to 2019-2020 fiscal years. At the same time, it was also alleged that she is a citizen of Canada.
Sharmin Sultana said, “Audit objections are not resolved yet. I always wanted to resolve them but a vested quarter in BTRC blocked it.”

Regarding Canadian citizenship, she said, “I have dual citizenship and I never hide it. I went to Canada in 1999 after my marriage. I got my Canadian passport in 2004 and I also studied there. However, since I always wanted to do something for my country, I came here and joined BTRC. I already said everything to the probe committee. I hope the sensible members of the probe committee will give a fair judgment.”
She also said, “There are several people in government jobs who have dual citizenship. But, there is no chance to raise questions about their quality.”

To look into the various issues including recruitment and promotion through irregularities and corruption at BTRC, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications constituted a three-member probe committee on 29 August, with Md Jan-e-Alam, additional secretary of Posts and Telecommunications Division as its convener.

The probe committee was asked to submit the inquiry report within 21 working days. Joint Secretary Mahbub Hasan Shaheen and Deputy Secretary Sharmin Sultana are in the probe committee.
Regarding the investigation and the inquiry report, Additional Secretary Md Jan-e-Alam told the Daily Sun, “We are maintaining highest secrecy in the investigation and also giving it importance.”
He also said, “Maybe it will not be possible to submit a report within 21 working days. It may take a little more time.”