Serious allegations of administrative disorder, irregularities in promotions and transfers, stagnation in modernisation efforts, and the existence of a fuel theft syndicate have surfaced at state-owned fuel marketing company Meghna Petroleum Limited (MPL). Among the allegations are claims against Mohammad Rashedul Haque, an Assistant General Manager (MI) of MPL, involving the alleged use of a fake certificate to secure employment, prolonged service at the same workplace, political influence, irregularities in recruitment and promotion, collection of monthly payments from depots, embezzlement of funds under the guise of handling legal cases, submission of fraudulent bills, and the alleged use of company vehicles for personal financial gain.
According to sources familiar with the allegations, Rashedul Haque has been serving at the same workplace for nearly 15 years. He joined Meghna Petroleum on November 1, 2012.
It has been alleged that, under the company's service rules, the position of Officer in Grade 7 in the general branch required a master's degree with a first division, along with three years of experience. However, complainants allege that Rashedul obtained appointment to a Grade 5 BSc-level position in the technical branch—two grades higher—by allegedly receiving an exemption through the use of a fraudulent certificate.
The complainants have called for the relevant recruitment records and educational certificates to be independently verified to establish the authenticity of the documents and determine whether any irregularities occurred.
Questions Over Promotion and Prolonged Tenure
There are also allegations concerning promotions within the company. According to the complaints, four officials were directly promoted to the position of manager on November 25, 2021, despite the alleged absence of vacant departmental posts, in violation of clauses 14.1 and 14.3 of the company's promotion policy.
The complainants further allege that political influence and illicit financial transactions played a role in those promotions during the tenure of the previous administration. These allegations require verification through the company's promotion records and an independent investigation.
Questions have also been raised over Rashedul Haque's prolonged tenure at the same workplace. According to the complainants, remaining at the same posting for such an extended period was inconsistent with the company's existing transfer policy and created an opportunity for him to exercise disproportionate influence within the organisation.
Allegations of Financial Irregularities
According to the allegations, Rashedul Haque was involved in various irregularities, including recruitment and promotion-related transactions, collection of monthly payments from different depots, embezzlement of money allegedly collected for handling legal cases, preparation of fraudulent bills, and the alleged use of company vehicles for personal purposes in exchange for money.
Complainants claim that large sums of money were collected every month from different depots and that substantial amounts were allegedly misappropriated through various irregularities.
Some allegations go further, claiming that as much as Tk 10 million was collected from different depots each month. Complainants also allege that, during the previous Awami League government, Rashedul was able to avoid scrutiny because he presented himself as an influential Chhatra League leader. They claim that allegations of irregularities and corruption against him began to surface more openly following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5.
Alleged Political Influence and Syndicate
It has further been alleged that Rashedul Haque used political influence to establish a syndicate within the company. Complainants claim that the syndicate accumulated hundreds of crores of taka through illicit activities and that Rashedul subsequently acquired substantial assets.
They have called for an investigation into claims that he built a luxurious residence in his native Bhola, purchased expensive vehicles, and placed substantial amounts of money in fixed deposits and savings certificates in the names of his wife and children. The complainants have urged the authorities to verify the legitimate sources of these assets.
There are also allegations that part of the money was allegedly shared with Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, who was serving as Deputy General Manager (Operations) of Meghna Petroleum, and subsequently passed on to various individuals, including former State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid and leaders of the company's collective bargaining agent (CBA).
These claims could not be treated as established facts without documentary evidence and an independent investigation.
Allegations of Oil Theft
Rashedul Haque has also been accused of involvement in the theft of large quantities of fuel while serving as an Officer-in-Charge (OC) or Bulk In-Charge. Complainants allege that he accumulated substantial wealth through such activities.
MPL's Main Installation at Patenga in Chattogram is one of the company's principal facilities for storing and distributing petroleum products. According to the allegations, Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, Deputy General Manager (Operations) of MPL, and Mohammad Rashedul Haque, who previously served as manager of the Main Installation, were allegedly connected with a corrupt network.
The allegations further state that, with their alleged support and protection, fuel theft, illegal fuel trafficking and wastage continued at the Patenga Main Installation for an extended period.
There are also allegations that a syndicate allegedly associated with Rashedul Haque used influence over the company's fuel marketing operations and various depots to misappropriate large amounts of money.
Several company officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, reportedly said that monthly payments were regularly collected from different depots. They alleged that political influence was used to collect the money discreetly. However, they declined to disclose their identities, citing security concerns.
Alleged Links to Fuel Smuggling
Rashedul Haque has also been accused of leading a syndicate involved in illegal fuel trading. Complainants claim that despite longstanding allegations of irregularities and corruption, he has continued to hold his position.
They further allege that connections with influential political figures, members of law enforcement agencies and local smugglers were used to facilitate the alleged activities, particularly during periods of fuel shortages.
A Meghna Petroleum official, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged, “Behind the cover of his job, his main activities are alleged to involve fuel theft, fuel smuggling and adulteration of petroleum products.”
Calls for Investigation
Although allegations have been raised against Rashedul Haque within the company, complainants claim that previous investigations were repeatedly halted because of political influence. They allege that the complaints did not receive proper scrutiny for an extended period because of his political connections.
A section of the company's officers and employees has called for the appointment and placement of qualified personnel in key positions, including the managing director, based on merit, experience and professional competence in order to ensure sustainable development, greater efficiency and good governance at Meghna Petroleum.
Protesting and aggrieved employees have called for an independent, transparent and high-level investigation into the allegations.
They said, “There is specific information and evidence behind the allegations that have been raised. Through a neutral, transparent and high-level investigation, those responsible must be identified and brought to justice in accordance with existing laws and government regulations. Immediate government intervention is necessary to protect a nationally important institution like Meghna Petroleum.”
ACC and TIB Views
A deputy director of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) said, “If a specific complaint is received or preliminary evidence is found based on information published in the media, an investigation will be conducted and action will be taken in accordance with the law.”
Meanwhile, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), said that if a government official is found to have secured employment using a fake certificate and to have been involved in recruitment and promotion-related transactions, collecting monthly payments from depots, misappropriating money in connection with legal proceedings, and preparing fraudulent bills, such conduct would constitute serious violations of law and public service standards.
He further said that if the value of a person's assets is disproportionate to their legitimate income, it may indicate corruption. In such circumstances, he stressed the need for a proper investigation and for those found responsible to be held accountable.
The allegations against Rashedul Haque and others mentioned in this report should be independently verified through recruitment records, educational certificates, promotion documents, financial records, depot records, vehicle-use records and other relevant evidence before any allegation is established as fact.