BTRC Recruitment Probe: Anti-Graft Body Launches Crackdown on Alleged Irregularities

Following a writ petition in the High Court over allegations of rehabilitating politically influential and unqualified individuals in the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), while ignoring government audit objections and repeated ministry directives, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched a sweeping investigation. The inquiry includes verification of audit findings related to 30 officials allegedly appointed through age manipulation, 21 personnel recruited under BTRC’s capacity enhancement project, and violations of regulations in the recruitment of 17 retired military drivers.

In the interest of the investigation, the ACC, through two letters signed by Assistant Director Mohammad Nur Alam Siddiqui on April 2, has requested detailed documents regarding recruitment irregularities from the current BTRC Chairman. Under Sections 19 and 20 of the ACC Act, BTRC has been asked to provide the required records by April 9.

According to sources from the ACC headquarters, the letters reference allegations against former BTRC Chairman Shyam Sunder Sikder, including recruitment trade, irregularities, and acquisition of illegal assets through corruption. As part of the preliminary verification process, the commission has already begun collecting detailed information and documents covering three categories of recruitment.

ACC sources stated that, in the first phase, detailed lists, board recommendations, and meeting minutes related to the recruitment of 30 officials under the appointment notice issued on September 15, 2012, have been requested. Additionally, documents have been sought for 21 employees recruited under the commission’s capacity-building project in the Central Accounts and Revenue Division, as well as information on 17 individuals appointed as drivers on deputation from various forces.

Through another letter, BTRC has been asked to submit certified copies of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Act, 2001 (as amended in 2008), along with its organizational structure, employee service regulations of 2005 and 2009, and detailed tabulated documents related to recruitment under the September 15, 2012 notice. This includes data on approved and existing posts, recruitment policies, lists of appointed personnel, and recommendations of the recruitment board. The deadline for submitting these documents had been set as June 9, 2024.

ACC-related sources said the collected information is being analyzed to determine whether any irregularities or undue influence were involved in the recruitment process.

Responsible ACC officials confirmed that, in accordance with the commission’s law, the complaint has been taken into cognizance and an investigating officer has been appointed. The officer is gradually collecting and verifying the necessary documents.

The ACC stated that legal action will be taken against those involved if the allegations are proven after analyzing the collected data. The inquiry may be upgraded to a full-scale investigation if necessary.

Audit Directorate reports for the fiscal years 2016–17 and 2019–20 revealed that no recruitment notices were published in any recognized national daily newspapers, nor were any competitive written examinations conducted. Instead, appointments were made solely based on oral interviews and political recommendations, many of whom lacked the required educational qualifications and age limits. Despite repeated letters from the Posts and Telecommunications Division since 2020 urging action against these irregularities, BTRC authorities remained inactive and, instead, initiated processes to promote the controversial officials. In response, six Deputy Directors of BTRC filed a writ petition in the High Court, which on March 9 issued a rule asking why these recruitment and promotion processes should not be declared illegal.

DBTech/SA/MUIM/OR