Padma Oil managing director sends resignation letter from USA

Padma Oil Company's Managing Director Md Abdus Sobhan has resigned days after reaching the United States of America to see his ailing wife.

"I came to the US to visit my ill wife. But I could not return to Bangladesh because of visa-related complexities. So, I had to submit my resignation letter," Sobhan told The Daily Star.

According to board members of Padma Oil, Sobhan had earlier taken leave from May 4 to May 10 to see his wife.

On May 13, during a meeting, the board of the company inquired about Sobhan's whereabouts due to his absence from the office, and the next day he sent his resignation letter.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation Chairman Md Amin Ul Ahsan confirmed to this correspondent that the resignation letter had been received.

"Engineer Md Abdus Sobhan, the managing director of Padma Oil Company, has sent a letter seeking resignation from his job citing personal and family reasons. Official procedures are currently underway. A final decision will be made within a day or two," Ahsan said.

Meanwhile, the resignation of the managing director (MD) in such a manner has sparked widespread criticism among officials and employees of Padma Oil.

Several company officials, on condition of anonymity, told The Daily Star that there are ongoing investigations by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against the MD over allegations related to the illegal marketing of liquefied petroleum gas and bitumen.

However, Sobhan has rejected the statement regarding the ACC investigation.

"There is a separate committee for the marketing of LPG and bitumen. I have no involvement with this. There is no investigation by the ACC against me in this regard," he said.