Serious allegations have surfaced over the recent promotion process to the post of Deputy General Manager (DGM) at Meghna Petroleum Limited, revealing a web of corruption, nepotism, and influence-peddling. Sources claim that most officials included in the promotion list were beneficiaries of the former fascist Awami regime, many of whom are accused of corruption and are part of a powerful syndicate that has long manipulated the company’s internal affairs.
According to credible sources, a group of officials formed a powerful corruption syndicate under the protection of then–Managing Director Mir Saifullah Al Khaled, allegedly by lobbying the former State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid. This syndicate was reportedly involved in large-scale irregularities — including appointment manipulation, transfers, promotions, dealer recruitment, extortion from depots, misappropriation of funds from lubricant LC operations, and embezzlement from bank FDRs.
At present, the main masterminds behind this syndicate are identified as Inam Elahi Chowdhury, General Manager (HR), and Reza Md. Riaz Uddin, General Manager (Marketing) and former Company Secretary — also known locally as Uzzal, a politically influential figure with close ties to the Awami League.
During the previous regime, Riaz Uddin allegedly used his political connections to leapfrog senior officials and secure multiple rapid promotions. He has also been accused of submitting fake bills to siphon off hundreds of thousands of taka each month. Investigations suggest he owns multiple apartments in Chattogram’s Akehan area and, along with his brothers, a seven-story luxury building in the Pahartali residential area.
His associate, Inam Elahi Chowdhury, reportedly amassed vast wealth during his tenure in the Purchase Department through various irregularities. He is said to own a five-story house in Chattogram’s Chandgaon residential area. Despite the cancellation of a recruitment exam for laborers due to massive corruption — which caused a loss of about Tk 6.7 million — Inam remains in service without any punitive action.
Sources further reveal that under the direct influence of Inam Elahi Chowdhury and Reza Md. Riaz Uddin, the current DGM promotion list includes several officials facing corruption allegations. Seniority, merit, and experience were reportedly ignored, with promotions allegedly sold for hefty sums of money.
The list includes Md. Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, currently under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Another name is Md. Jalal Uddin, infamously known within the company as the “oil thief.” While serving as in-charge of the Baghabari Depot, he reportedly embezzled around 170,000 liters of diesel and was later transferred to the head office after allegedly paying Tk 3 million to then–MD Mir Saifullah Al Khaled.
Internal sources confirm that 11 officials are being considered for promotion from Assistant General Manager (AGM) to DGM. A meeting of the promotion committee, chaired by a Deputy Secretary from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, was held at the Chattogram head office — where seven names were finalized. Among them is Md. Humayun Kabir, an officer previously served with a show-cause notice.
The list also includes Omar Faruk Minazi, Assistant General Manager (Sales) and nephew of former MD Mir Saifullah Al Khaled, and Ahsanul Amin, a former Bangladesh Agricultural University Chhatra League activist. Although the minimum experience required for the post of Deputy Manager (Sales) is 12 years, both had only 8 years of service at the time of appointment. Now, with only 12 years of service, they are poised to become the youngest DGMs in the company’s history.
Four diploma engineers are also included in the promotion list, which clearly violates the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation’s 2024 Promotion Policy. The policy stipulates that first-class diploma engineers must serve at least five years before becoming eligible for AGM. Yet, with the “special favor” of Mir Saifullah Al Khaled and Riaz Uddin, they were promoted to AGM after only three years.
According to government service regulations, officials with pending disciplinary actions or adverse Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) are ineligible for promotion. Nevertheless, Humayun Kabir, Assistant General Manager (P&E), who has been accused of misconduct, is reportedly set to receive promotion in exchange for money.
Reports suggest that GM (HR) Inam Elahi Chowdhury, who is set to retire this year, has ensured promotions for members of the so-called “Diploma Syndicate” in exchange for millions of taka before his retirement.
When contacted, Inam Elahi Chowdhury said, “We cannot make any comment outside the purview of the promotion committee.”
Meanwhile, Managing Director Md. Shahirul Hasan stated, “The board members will evaluate and promote officers based on their merit and qualifications.”
Attempts to reach Md. Jalal Uddin and Md. Humayun Kabir, both accused in separate corruption cases, were unsuccessful as they did not respond to phone calls or text messages.
The list also features two officials — Md. Abul Meraj and Shafiqul Rahman Talukder — known to be close to former General Manager (Operations Engineer) Mofizur Rahman. They argue that the 2024 Promotion Policy does not consider seniority as the sole criterion for advancement. However, with relatively low ACR scores, both are at risk of exclusion from the final list.
Although the Board of Directors instructed that both 2023 and 2024 ACRs be considered in the 2025 promotion process, it is alleged that Inam Elahi Chowdhury and Riaz Uddin inflated ACR scores to favor their loyal associates.
Despite receiving formal complaints, Inam allegedly withheld them from being presented to the board. As a result, nearly 40 to 50 senior and qualified officials have been unfairly deprived of promotion, leading to widespread frustration within the organization.