Special Correspondent :
In a highly unusual move, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has suspended 14 of its officials for allegedly defying transfer orders and engaging in what the authorities have described as “blatant insubordination.”
According to the official suspension notice, some of the officers publicly tore up their transfer letters in protest – a dramatic gesture that has sent shockwaves through the country’s revenue administration.
The suspension orders, signed by NBR Chairman and Secretary of the Internal Resources Division (IRD) Md Abdur Rahman Khan, state that the action was taken in accordance with the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules. Departmental proceedings have been initiated against the officials, who face possible dismissal if the charges are substantiated.
The suspended officers include several Joint Tax Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, and Revenue Officers posted across various tax zones, including Dhaka, Khulna, Cox’s Bazar, Noakhali, Kushtia, Rangpur, Cumilla and Chattogram.
Notably, one of those suspended is Hasan Mohammad Tarek Rikabder, an Additional Commissioner and president of the NBR Reform Unity Council – a group that has reportedly been vocal about internal reform within the agency.
The disciplinary action follows resistance to a transfer order issued on 22 June. According to internal sources, the protest reached its peak when some officers, during a symbolic demonstration, allegedly tore up what were said to be their official transfer orders.
One of the suspended officers, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed, “No actual transfer letter was destroyed – it was a symbolic act involving blank sheets of paper. Moreover, all officers have since complied with the transfer directive and joined their new postings.”
Nevertheless, the NBR has maintained that the protest constitutes serious misconduct. “For publicly tearing up the transfer orders in a display of arrogance and defiance, it has been decided to initiate disciplinary action following due investigation,” read the official order.
The incident has sparked widespread concern within the revenue department. A senior official at the Ministry of Finance suggested that further disciplinary measures may follow, with at least 10 more officials reportedly under scrutiny.
Former NBR member Md Lutfor Rahman described the move as “unprecedented,” noting, “In all my years of service, I have never witnessed such a mass suspension of officers.”
The suspensions come amid a broader administrative shake-up within the NBR. In recent weeks, five senior officials, including four members of the board, were sent into forced retirement. Additionally, the Commissioner of the Chattogram Customs House was suspended – signalling what many insiders view as a far-reaching reform drive within the agency.
The 14 suspended officials now face internal investigations, which could result in dismissal if misconduct is proven. While they retain the right to appeal, insiders note that such proceedings are often lengthy and reinstatement remains rare.
Observers say the incident reveals a deepening internal rift within one of Bangladesh’s most critical financial institutions, raising broader questions about leadership, discipline, and the implementation of long-awaited reforms.
