Muhammad Ayub Ali :
Md Rafiqul Islam, a retired Janata Bank employee and former CBA leader, joined the Live Preparation for Retirement (LPR) programme on 30 June 2023 and formally retired on 1 July 2024.
However, controversy surrounds his actions during and after his retirement.
On 5 July, Rafiqul Islam reportedly applied for and received an interest waiver of Tk 42 lakh on a house loan.
This decision, made post-retirement, has raised concerns about procedural irregularities and the misuse of influence.
The Janata Bank National Employees Union (Reg: B-1191), under new leadership since 24 July, has also come under scrutiny.
Allegations suggest unethical practices and undue influence, including the inclusion of former Awami CBA leaders in the Nationalist CBA Committee.
Critics claim these appointments were made to leverage their experience in irregular activities, such as loan fraud and recruitment trades.
Rafiqul Islam, known for his affiliation with the Awami CBA before shifting to the Nationalist CBA, is accused of leveraging his position to secure personal benefits, including the interest waiver.
It is alleged that he submitted a medical certificate declaring himself ill, without substantiating documents or vouchers, to support the waiver application.
When questioned, Rafiqul Islam maintained that submitting an application was within his rights, and it was the board’s responsibility to assess its validity.
He stated, “I can apply. It is the board’s responsibility to approve or reject it according to the rules.”
Janata Bank officials, including Deputy General Manager Md. Sharif Ullah, admitted that the matter was not thoroughly reviewed.
Sharif Ullah acknowledged procedural lapses, stating, “The papers were presented to the board as received from the branch. In hindsight, the issue was not properly scrutinised.”
Questions also arose about Rafiqul Islam’s health claims, as he remains active and regularly visits the bank’s head office post-retirement.
Sharif Ullah suggested that requesting laboratory test results alongside the medical certificate could have clarified the validity of his claims.
There are further allegations that Rafiqul Islam used the funds saved through the interest waiver to purchase savings bonds, which may violate banking regulations.
When asked whether action would be taken, Sharif Ullah responded, “Action will be taken subject to investigation.”
The situation has sparked calls for a thorough inquiry to address the alleged procedural irregularities and ensure accountability in similar cases in the future.
