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The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has decided on a one-year contractual appointment of chief engineer Md Habibur Rahman despite a recent court order for taking departmental action against this "corrupt" man.
Habib has been made accused in four corruption cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
However, the CAAB board has taken this decision this week to contractually appoint him to the post for a year on completion of his tenure on March 22.
CAAB chairman Air Vice-Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan confirmed the development to the FE, adding that allegations against Habibur were under investigation and not proved yet.
Meanwhile, an application has been filed with the Chief Adviser's Office on Wednesday, requesting him to take steps to deter Habibur's re-recruitment.
Following a writ petition, a High Court bench on 23 February 2025 issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain as to why their inaction to take steps to start departmental proceedings against Habib for allegations of corruption against him should not be declared illegal.
It also wanted to know as to why the respondents should not be directed to take action to start departmental proceedings against Habib and suspend him from his post immediately for corruption allegations levelled at him.
Despite the HC ruling, the CAAB board has gone for appointing him on a contractual basis instead of taking departmental proceedings.
In January, the ACC filed four separate cases against Habib and 18 others in connection with the embezzlement of Tk 8.12 billion from the country's aviation sector.
However, the CAAB is yet to take any action against Habib.
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