Biman pilot dodges probe, ‘leaves country’

Sadia Ahmed, a first officer of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, who was suspended for forging her educational certificate, reportedly left the country without appearing before a Biman probe body.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has asked Biman to suspend her "privilege of the licence" so that she cannot fly any commercial aircraft at home or abroad.

"The CAAB is yet to revoke her licence as we will have to follow some legal procedure and investigation," a top official of the regulatory authority told The Daily Star.

Wishing anonymity, the official also said that following a report by The Daily Star on March 1 about irregularities in hiring pilots, CAAB asked the national flag carrier to investigate Sadia and submit a report to it.

Sadia had submitted a forged educational certificate that said she was a student of science group during her Higher Secondary Certificate exams.

Data retrieved from the Dhaka education board shows that she was a student of humanities, and she passed with second division from Shaheed Anwar Girls' College with Bangla, English, civics, psychology, and home economics.

The CAAB rulebook mandates that all commercial pilots must have an educational qualification of HSC (Science) or equivalent with physics and mathematics mandatory.

Sadia is the wife of Captain Sazid Ahmed who was recently removed from the post of chief of training following allegations of irregularities including harassment of female cockpit crew, sources at Biman said.

Biman Managing Director and CEO Shafiul Azim yesterday said the probe body had asked Sadia to appear before it on March 30 and respond to the allegations against her.

"But instead of appearing before the committee, she sent an email that she is abroad," added the Biman boss.

The Daily Star received a copy of the email in which Sadia said, "[sic] My family life and safety was at a serious stake. As a result I became very sick and was later diagnosed with nerve entrapment with a requirement of immediate treatment. At that point I was not been able to handle all this harassment including all social pressures in this health condition and decided to leave the country for the time being."

After The Daily Star report that Sadia forged her certificate was found to be true, Biman suspended her and launched a thorough probe, said the Biman MD.

"As she didn't appear before the probe body, the committee will take actions against her in line with the rules," he said.

The Biman chief also said they have already requested CAAB to take action against Sadia.

"As a carrier, we cannot revoke her licence. It is the jurisdiction of CAAB as it issues the licences to pilots," said the Biman MD.

Shafiul vowed that they would follow due process. "Good governance must be established in Biman. We will bring everything on track."

Even though Sadia said she has left the country, a number of sources in the carrier told this newspaper that she was actually in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, a section of Biman officials was critical of CAAB for seeking an explanation from the carrier for appointing Captain Ishtiaque Hossain as chief of planning and scheduling.

"CAAB has nothing to do with this appointment. A competent person like Capt Ishtiaque is very necessary for Biman," said a senior pilot of Biman.