Biman boss Shafiqur Rahman removed after arrest; Humayra Sultana appointed acting MD

Dhaka: The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has terminated the contractual appointment of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Md. Shafiqur Rahman following his arrest and detention in a criminal case.

An office order issued on Tuesday said the decision was taken in accordance with a government notification dated February 3, citing that Dr. Rahman had been accused in a criminal case and placed in custody, leading to the cancellation of his contract-based appointment.

To ensure uninterrupted operations of the national flag carrier, the ministry has assigned Dr. Humayra Sultana, Additional Secretary (Aviation and CA) at the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, to take charge as the acting MD and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. She will perform the additional responsibilities until a regular appointment is made.

The appointment was made under Section 30(c) of the Bangladesh Biman (Reinstatement and Amendment of the repealed Bangladesh Biman Order, 1972) Act, 2023. The order was issued with the approval of the competent authority and signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Mosammat Shakila Parveen.

Earlier, police arrested Dr. Md. Shafiqur Rahman, his wife, and two others in the early hours of Monday, February 2, in connection with a case involving the alleged torture of an 11-year-old domestic worker.

The arrests took place around 3:30am at their residence in Sector 9 of Uttara. The case was filed over allegations of physical abuse of a domestic worker.

Officer-in-Charge of Uttara West Police Station Kazi Md Rafiq Ahmed said the victim’s father, Mostafa, lodged the case, accusing Shafiqur Rahman, his wife, and two others of subjecting the child to severe physical torture.

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman was appointed MD and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines on September 4, 2024.