Staff Correspondent

Matiur Rahman, the former member of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), who came under discussion in his son's goat case, is not seen in public. His mobile number is also closed for some days.

Matiur has not appeared at the new workplace till now, despite giving the joining letter to the Internal Resources Department of the Ministry of Finance through another person. He did not even take leave.

In such a situation, there are rumors of Matiur leaving the country using a foreign passport. If that happens, it will be difficult to find him. In the meantime, Motiur's second wife Shammi Akhtar Shibli and her son Mushfiqur Rahman Ifat, the owner of the goat farm, have moved out.

On June 23, the government removed him from the post of president of the Customs, Excise and VAT Appellate Tribunal and attached him to the Internal Resources Department of the Ministry of Finance amid criticism of Motiur's illegal wealth after the goat incident. Sonali was also removed from the post of director of the bank the next day. After this, on June 25, the Internal Resources Department wrote to Motiur to be present in person at a meeting that day. But stay away from meetings, Matiur has not worked a single day at his new workplace.

A source from Canada told Samakal that Motiur was recently seen in a city in the country. However, a high-ranking officer of the law and order force says that Matiur is still in the country. Motiur's first wife Laila Kaniz's multiple calls to her mobile number did not get any response.

Another source claims that apart from the ACC, multiple agencies are investigating the assets in Motiur's name. He hastily withdrew 8 crores from the bank in the middle of last month. 4 crores are currently deposited. Motiur used 115 bank accounts at various times for money transactions.

Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), CID's Money Laundering Unit and several intelligence agencies have started searching to find out information about Motiur's money transactions. Whether he has a foreign passport is also being investigated. Many people take passports of different European countries including Portugal due to corruption. Whether this has happened in the case of Motiur is being verified.

Those concerned say that according to the employment rules, Matiur is supposed to join the senior secretary of internal resources department and NBR chairman at the new workplace on the day of transfer. But he sent the joining letter through another person citing 'illness' on June 24, a day after his transfer.

According to sources, the policy makers of the institution are 'embarrassed' after the information of irregularities and corruption of several NBR and customs officials came to light. It has been clarified that the organization will not take responsibility for the misdeeds of the officials. However, no disciplinary action has been taken against Motiur till Sunday. However, a source in the Internal Resources Department said that disciplinary action against Matiur is under process.

Public administration expert former additional secretary Feroze Mia told Samakal that these cases have to be attended in person. The authorities cannot accept the application if it is sent through someone else. Matiur Rahman did not attend in person. Also absent from work without taking leave, which will be considered as misconduct. A departmental case may be filed against him for this. Departmental cases can range from reprimand to dismissal.

It is learnt that in addition to abundant wealth in his own name, Matiu has built a mountain of wealth in the name of his wife, children and relatives. There are houses, flats, plots and land in different parts of the country including Dhaka, Savar, Gazipur, Narsingdi, Barisal. In the name of FDR and his family members in public and private banks, hundreds of crores of rupees are invested in the capital market.

The discussed son Ifat also bought a luxury car. There is a house in Bashundhara. There are four flats in Beg Park View of Anwar Landmark in Plot No. 11 on Road No. 83, next to Sahabuddin Park, Gulshan. The second wife lives at 41/2 Imperial Bhawan, Road No. 8, Lalmatia. There are also flats in Kakrail. Dhanmondi 27 has multiple flats. Motiur owns a 40,000 square feet bag manufacturing and accessories factory called SK Trims in Tongi. Although on paper the owner of the factory is his brother MA Qayyum Howlader.

Mymensingh has two shoe factories in Bhaluka on 300 bigha land and Global Shoes in Barisal. Raipura in Narsingdi has Wonder Park and Eco Resort. These resorts are owned by his son and daughter. Matiur also owns Apan Bhuban Picnic and Shooting Spot in Purbachal.