BSEC dismisses 21 officials

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has dismissed its 21 officials on charge of blocking the chairman and commissioners on march 5.

Of the 21, two officials have been summoned.

The BSEC made the decision during an unexpected meeting on Tuesday, said multiple sources of the BSEC.

On 4 March, BSEC Executive Director Saifur Rahman was sent on retirement, citing evidence of irregularities during his tenure. Additionally, the commission issued show-cause notices to several other officials on various issues, and disciplinary actions have been taken against many of them.

This decision sparked widespread anger among BSEC officials and employees. The day after Saifur Rahman’s forced retirement, officials gathered on the chairman-commissioners’ floor to discuss the matter.

However, the chairman and commissioners alleged that they were blocked by the officials and eventually, they had to leave the office with the assistance of the Army.

The following day, on March 6, BSEC officials went on strike in protest. Meanwhile, on that same day, the BSEC chairman filed a case against 16 officials at the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station through his aide, Ashikur Rahman.

Among those named, Saifur Rahman had already been discharged, and another executive director, Mahbubul Alam, resigned. The remaining 14 officers were allowed to return to work on bail.