Four tax officials have been temporarily suspended for obstructing official duties during recent protests by the National Board of Revenue (NBR), according to a Monday order from the Internal Resources Division (IRD). The suspension took effect immediately.
The officials include Sadhan Kumar Kundu, Additional Commissioner of the Sylhet Customs, Excise & VAT Commissionerate; Abul Ala Mohammad Amimul Ihsan Khan, Additional Commissioner of Mongla Customs House in Khulna; Sanowarul Kabir, Joint Commissioner at the Chattogram Customs, Excise & VAT Training Academy; and Saidul Islam, Deputy Commissioner of Khulna Customs, Excise & VAT Commissionerate.
With these latest suspensions, a total of 31 NBR officials—from members to rank-and-file employees—have faced temporary disciplinary action over the past month and a half for their involvement in the protests.
According to the IRD, the officials obstructed their colleagues’ official work and disrupted import-export activities while participating in demonstrations organized under the NBR Reform Unity Council.
The IRD Secretary and NBR Chairman, Abdur Rahman, signed four separate suspension orders, citing the Public Service Act, 2018, Section 39(1).
The officials are placed under special supervision, and they are entitled to allowances during the suspension period. NBR sources confirmed that the suspended officials were actively involved in the protests, with some holding leadership roles.
The protests took place in May and June, following the government’s May 12 ordinance that dissolved the NBR and restructured the Revenue Policy and Revenue Management divisions.
Employees demanded rational reforms in revenue administration and staged work stoppages nationwide on June 28–29, which were later withdrawn after mediation by business representatives.
Since then, disciplinary actions have been implemented, including mandatory leave for some officers and suspension of the former Commissioner of Chattogram Customs.
Investigations have also been launched by the Anti-Corruption Commission against 16 officials, including two NBR members, most of whom participated in the protests.
