Rupali Bank’s DGM under investigation for sexual harassment claims

An allegation of sexual harassment has been raised against a senior official of Rupali Bank’s Dhaka South Divisional office by one of his female colleagues. 

The accused official is Mohammad Kawser Mustafiz, deputy general manager (DGM) of the ICT Systems Department of the bank.

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The bank authorities formed a two-member probe committee to investigate the incident on May 21. The members of the committee are Md Ismail Hossain Sheikh, general manager of the bank’s Dhaka South Divisional office, and Nazneen Sultana, assistant general manager of the Immovable Property Department of the head office of the bank.

The committee was asked to submit its probe report within ten working days. The submission may be delayed slightly, as the head of the probe committee was ill when the letter was issued, according to bank sources.

Written complaint

The female staff member filed a written complaint against Mustafiz on April 30. 

According to the written complaint, Mustafiz had been making objectionable proposals to her ever since she joined the workplace. As she did not accept his proposal, Mustafiz used to abuse her, make comments about her body shape, and say unpleasant things, besides harassing her in various ways. 

In such a situation, the female officer decided to file a verbal complaint on the advice of some colleagues. Realizing the matter, DGM Mustafiz called her alone in a room and threatened her. 

Following this, on March 25 of this year, he publicly abused and threatened the female officer, according to the complaint. 

It is also alleged that the DGM removed the CCTV footage of his room to cover up various misdeeds.

The female staff member was transferred on April 1.  Before the transfer, the victim informed Mullah Gulam Farooq, the additional general manager of the same department, about the situation.

Instead of solving the issue, the additional general manager reportedly advised her to cover it up and tried to intimidate her. Subsequently, she filed the written complaint.

In the complaint, she mentioned that she could not meet the managing director of the bank despite several attempts to inform him about the matter. 

The woman told Dhaka Tribune that Mustafiz used to call her to a room alone and blow cigarette air at her.

“Besides, he used to make various dirty gestures. I have also informed the senior management. I did not get any remedy, so I complained. I want justice according to the law of the institution.”

She also said: "I want exemplary punishment for Mustafiz so that no one else can ever do such a thing.”

When asked about the complaint, DGM Mustafiz said: "I have nothing to say. I am innocent. Surely the truth will come out. She knows why she made this complaint after being transferred from here.”

“Here is my 15-year career. Every colleague is like my child. The truth will be revealed. Allah will prove,” he added. 

Hasan Tanvir, deputy managing director (DMD) of the bank, said that a complaint has been made to the Chairman and MD of the bank.

“A two-member inquiry committee has been formed in this regard. The issue is under investigation. A comment can be made following the finding of the investigation,” said the DMD.