Viral video of PDB engineer demanding Tk 2 crore leads to suspension

Executive Engineer of the Bangladesh Power Development Board's (BPDB) Sales and Distribution Division in Lakshmipur, Md Nurul Amin, has been temporarily suspended after a video of a conversation with a contractor about financial transactions spread on social media.

He was informed of the temporary suspension in a letter signed by Md Kausar Ahmed, Assistant Director of BPDB's Investigation and Discipline Department, on Monday.

The letter stated that a decision has been taken to take action against Nurul Amin under Regulation 141(1) of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (Employees) Service Regulations, 1982.

Earlier, the video spread on social media on Sunday night. In the video, which is about eight minutes and 50 seconds long, Nurul Amin can be heard talking about materials for various projects, contractors' bills and financial transactions. At one point, he can be heard saying he will not agree to anything less than Tk 2 crore for a bill. Additionally, outlining an account of the purchase and misappropriation of materials in a project, he is heard speaking of giving Tk 2 crore out of Tk 5 crore.

In the video, he is also seen taking cash from several people. However, their faces are not visible as they remain behind the camera. Their conversation with him about the money can also be heard in the video.

After the video spread, he was not found at the executive engineer's office on Monday morning and noon. His mobile phone was also found switched off. According to sources, he entered the office in the early hours of Monday but left after a while and stayed at the government residence. Later in the evening, he left the government residence in a private car.

However, no statement could be obtained from Nurul Amin regarding the remarks and scenes in the video that spread on social media. What further action BPDB takes alongside the temporary suspension in this incident will depend on the investigation and the relevant process.