The job requirements stipulated a minimum of a second-class bachelor’s degree. However, despite having a third-class academic record, Moni Lal Das, a former senior official of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), served in several important positions at the state-owned organization. Questions and allegations have long surrounded his appointment and subsequent promotions.
Several BPC officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Moni Lal Das recently retired from the organization. However, allegations of irregularities and corruption against him have yet to be properly resolved. The officials also alleged that some relevant documents and files could no longer be traced after reports concerning the allegations were published in the media.
According to information gathered during the inquiry, a recruitment circular published on October 24, 1996, required candidates applying for the post of Assistant Manager at BPC to have at least a second-class bachelor’s degree. However, Moni Lal Das reportedly had a third-class academic result. Allegedly, despite not meeting the prescribed qualification, he joined BPC in 1999 as an Assistant Manager (MIS).
He subsequently rose through the ranks and served as General Manager (Finance and Accounts) and, most recently, Senior General Manager (Planning and Development). At the same time, he also served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Standard Asiatic Oil Limited (SAOCL), a government-private joint venture.
Before proceeding on pre-retirement leave (PRL) on August 13 this year, he faced various allegations of irregularities and causing losses to state resources during his long career. Among the most significant allegations were claims that he and his wife had accumulated assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.
According to sources at the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), an inquiry was launched in 2023 following allegations that Moni Lal Das had acquired illegal assets through fraudulent means. The inquiry reportedly found preliminary evidence of assets beyond known sources of income in the names of Moni Lal Das and his wife, Sepika Das.
According to the ACC inquiry report, Moni Lal Das had total assets worth Tk 4,17,27,207, including movable and immovable properties and family expenses. Against this, his acceptable income was calculated at Tk 3,40,92,193. The report therefore identified Tk 76,35,014 in assets for which no acceptable source of income could be established.
Meanwhile, Sepika Das, a homemaker by profession, has reportedly been registered as a taxpayer since the 2010–11 tax year, declaring income from savings certificates, share trading, commission-based business and fish farming. However, according to the ACC inquiry, no evidence of the existence of a commission business or fish farming operation, nor sufficient supporting documents, could be produced.
The inquiry report stated that Sepika Das had total assets worth Tk 2,44,61,927, of which Tk 1,87,17,255 had no identifiable legitimate source of income.
ACC Assistant Director and investigating officer Raju Ahmed reportedly submitted an inquiry report to the Commission, recommending that Moni Lal Das and his wife Sepika Das each be required to submit separate statements of assets. An ACC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said further legal action would be taken based on the Commission’s decision.
Attempts were made to contact Moni Lal Das for his comments regarding the allegations of missing recruitment documents and money laundering, but he could not be reached.
Earlier, in 2024, Moni Lal Das denied allegations of irregularities and discrepancies against him. At the time, he claimed that a group was conspiring against him and attempting to mislead the ACC through baseless complaints. He also claimed that he had performed his duties honestly.