Monday, 22 September, 2025
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has launched a high-profile case against Salman F Rahman, vice-chairman of Beximco Group and former adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, his son Shayan Rahman, and 25 others over the alleged embezzlement of Tk 5.68 billion.
The case was filed late Thursday night by Toufiqul Islam, senior assistant director of BTRC, at Gulshan Police Station.
The accused are members of the International Gateway (IGW) Operators Forum. Confirming the development, Gulshan Police Chief Hafizur Rahman said a total of 27 IGW operators, including Salman and Shayan Rahman, have been named in the case.
According to BTRC, charges have been brought under sections 73, 74, and 76 of the Telecommunications Regulatory Act, and sections 420 and 406 of the Penal Code.
During the previous government’s tenure, IGW licences were issued to transfer incoming international phone calls to local operators. Under the interim government, allegations emerged against the IGW Operators Forum for leaving without paying dues and installing minimal equipment while extracting hundreds of crores.
On Jul 7, Faiz Ahmad Tayeb, chief advisor’s special assistant on ICT, alleged that many “party-affiliated operators” holding ICX, IGW and IIG licences during the Awami League’s rule left unpaid dues exceeding Tk 20 billion before closing their companies.
He highlighted the formation of the IGW Operators Forum (IOF) in 2013, led by Salman, which comprised seven companies to regulate international call termination.
“Surprisingly, at that time, BTRC and the Posts and Telecommunications Division allowed the IOF to continue its experimental operations, which lasted nearly 12 years,” Faiz said.
Claiming that this caused government revenue losses of more than Tk 80 billion, he added: “The entirety of this massive revenue loss has gone into the pockets of Salman and his associates.”
Faiz also alleged at different times that mid-level telecom firms, including IGW operators, were allowed to install equipment worth only a few crore taka while extracting hundreds of crores in profits during the past government’s tenure.
Comments
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has launched a high-profile case against Salman F Rahman, vice-chairman of Beximco Group and former adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, his son Shayan Rahman, and 25 others over the alleged embezzlement of Tk 5.68 billion.
The case was filed late Thursday night by Toufiqul Islam, senior assistant director of BTRC, at Gulshan Police Station.
The accused are members of the International Gateway (IGW) Operators Forum. Confirming the development, Gulshan Police Chief Hafizur Rahman said a total of 27 IGW operators, including Salman and Shayan Rahman, have been named in the case.
According to BTRC, charges have been brought under sections 73, 74, and 76 of the Telecommunications Regulatory Act, and sections 420 and 406 of the Penal Code.
During the previous government’s tenure, IGW licences were issued to transfer incoming international phone calls to local operators. Under the interim government, allegations emerged against the IGW Operators Forum for leaving without paying dues and installing minimal equipment while extracting hundreds of crores.
On Jul 7, Faiz Ahmad Tayeb, chief advisor’s special assistant on ICT, alleged that many “party-affiliated operators” holding ICX, IGW and IIG licences during the Awami League’s rule left unpaid dues exceeding Tk 20 billion before closing their companies.
He highlighted the formation of the IGW Operators Forum (IOF) in 2013, led by Salman, which comprised seven companies to regulate international call termination.
“Surprisingly, at that time, BTRC and the Posts and Telecommunications Division allowed the IOF to continue its experimental operations, which lasted nearly 12 years,” Faiz said.
Claiming that this caused government revenue losses of more than Tk 80 billion, he added: “The entirety of this massive revenue loss has gone into the pockets of Salman and his associates.”
Faiz also alleged at different times that mid-level telecom firms, including IGW operators, were allowed to install equipment worth only a few crore taka while extracting hundreds of crores in profits during the past government’s tenure.
Comments
