The Chairman of the Managing Board of BRCS was appointed for a period of six months as per the notification number 45.00.00000.162.99.029.2018-92) dated 5 March 2025 of the Private Health Management-1 Branch of the Health Services Department of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.But since taking charge, he has been accused of not paying attention to the organization's transparency, accountability, and good governance. There have been deep allegations of administrative irregularities, lack of transparency, and abuse of power in the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS).Sources said that the organization's Deputy Secretary General Sultan Ahmed and the chairman's personal assistant Md. Sohag Mia have been accused of trying to monopolize complete control of the organization and have already become known as the instigators of the financial scam.Meanwhile, during the Awami League era, there was a decision to reinstate those who were dismissed for political reasons, but it has not been implemented yet due to the intervention of the invisible forces of fascists.On the other hand, Red Crescent's Room Room alleges that Deputy Secretary General Sultan Ahmed and the chairman's personal assistant Sohag Mia have taken complete control of the organization's administrative power.Unilateral decisions are being taken on sensitive issues such as appointments, transfers and promotions without the approval of the governing board, creating extreme chaos in the administrative structure of the organization.
Deputy Secretary General Sultan Ahmed: The Mastermind Behind Corruption
Sultan's appointment was politically motivated by Awami considerations. An investigation into his illegal recruitment, irregularities, and corruption would reveal substantial information. Along with Brigadier Humayun, Sultan has employed nearly 100 Awami League loyalists in Holy Family Hospital and the Red Crescent, who are now jointly working to reorganize the Awami League.
Around 50 associates of autocratic regimes were promoted by Sultan and his group both before and after August 5. Corrupt Sultan has interfered in the tender process and collaborated with those loyal to authoritarian figures to jointly engage in business and embezzle hundreds of crores of taka. The Sultan-Sohag syndicate has undertaken a deep conspiracy to reinstate all Awami affiliates and eliminate opposition members.
Using illicit funds, Sultan has purchased two houses worth hundreds of crores in Baridhara, owns three luxury cars, and has property and vehicles in Canada. To implement all these wrongdoings, cunning Sultan has manipulated the Chairman and turned him into a puppet in his hands.
Deputy Secretary General Sultan Ahmed has long been accused of leveraging political influence, rehabilitating Awami League loyalists within the organization, and engaging in financial misconduct. Despite reports on his irregularities being published in various national media outlets, no action has been taken. Instead, internal sources say the Chairman’s office is now effectively run under Sultan’s command.
Under Sultan Ahmed’s leadership, a powerful syndicate has been formed within the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, turning the organization into an "Awami League rehabilitation center" and a "marketplace of corruption." According to internal sources, this syndicate is already involved in trade worth crores of taka through transfers, appointments, and contract dealings, with Sultan Ahmed identified as the key mastermind.
Since taking office as Deputy Secretary General on November 3, 2022, Sultan Ahmed — known as a collaborator of Awami fascism — began expanding his web of power within the Red Crescent. His close relationship with former State Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Prof. Dr. Rokeya Sultana, accelerated this process. Notably, Dr. Rokeya was a member of the Red Crescent's Managing Board during her term, which further smoothed the path for Sultan Ahmed’s corruption.
Sultan Ahmed’s Crores in Assets, Source Unknown
According to reliable sources, Sultan Ahmed owns multiple luxurious apartments in the upscale Baridhara DOHS area of Dhaka, for which he has failed to present any legitimate source of income.
Internal officials claim that the primary source of these assets is black money earned through bribery and recruitment rackets within the Red Crescent. A financial transaction network has reportedly been established by him involving the approval of appointment letters, halting transfer documents, and contract-based hiring — all of which have cast serious doubts on the organization’s financial transparency.
Among Sultan Ahmed’s illegal wealth are multiple luxury apartments and houses in Baridhara DOHS, Dhaka, along with several high-end vehicles — none of which have any identifiable legal financial sources.
Who Are Behind the Corruption?
Sultan Ahmed, with the assistance of his former associate Brigadier General (Retd.) Humayun Kabir, established a powerful network. Together, they formed a strong corrupt syndicate whose main goal has been to exploit the resources of the Red Crescent Society for personal gain. The key four members of this syndicate are:
1. Sohag Mia (PS-1):
The Chairman’s personal assistant, who is alleged to have embezzled crores of taka through bribery and fraud during the recruitment process. Reports suggest the Chairman is indirectly involved in these actions.
2. Dr. Sheikh Abu Zafar:
A member of the Society’s Managing Board, who has been legitimizing the syndicate’s illegal decisions through financial corruption.
3. Dr. Shahana Zafar – The Peak of Corruption:
Director of the Red Crescent Society’s Fundraising Division, Dr. Shahana has been facing serious corruption allegations for over a decade. These include recruitment rackets, secretly selling government land, and renting the hospital grounds for sacrificial cattle markets in exchange for money. Though several investigations have taken place, no effective action has ever been taken. Astonishingly, after being dismissed in 2011, she was reinstated and promoted within three months, hinting at invisible influence.
In 2017–18, multiple allegations of bribery and embezzlement surfaced against her, yet she remained in power. A transfer order signed by the Secretary General in April 2025 was allegedly suspended through bribery, allowing her to stay in Dhaka.
Dr. Shahana, known for mismanaging donations, fundraising, and project funds, has abused her position to benefit the syndicate. During the Awami League’s rule, she amassed significant illegal wealth and recently bought a 3,000 sq. ft. apartment in Dhanmondi valued at over 5 crore taka. She also owns two luxury cars and additional flats in Mirpur and Uttara.
Throughout her career in various departments, she is accused of selling at least 10 jobs for large sums. These actions took place during her tenures in health, fundraising, and at the Banglabazar hospital. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she allegedly procured masks and PPE worth crores without following any regulations. In Comilla, she is accused of misappropriating 5 crore taka by falsifying documents related to society-owned property. In Netrokona, she embezzled 2 crore taka from a health center project with help from board member Tuku.
Despite being found guilty in 12 separate departmental investigations for various irregularities, she has never been punished due to her ties with influential figures. Administrative reports on these investigations remain archived.
To accumulate illegal wealth, Dr. Shahana allegedly engaged in numerous unethical acts, including turning the hospital premises into a 'cattle market' for profit during Eid.
Even though the Awami League's misrule ended on August 5, fascist allies remain embedded in the administration. Dr. Shahana, a loyalist of the Awami regime, now hides behind a ‘non-discriminatory’ cloak while walking the same ideological path.
On November 4, 2024, the Red Crescent Society Chairman and IFRC Governing Board member Major General (Retd.) Md. Rafiqul Islam stated during a conference that many individuals involved with the Red Crescent during the Awami League's rule had faced accusations of abuse of power and corruption — naming Dr. Shahana among them. A board has been formed to investigate these allegations. While board members have recommended actions if the allegations are proven, Dr. Shahana remains in her position and continues to secretly run the party’s missions.
Her continued role has raised serious questions. Several officials from the Red Crescent’s head office and various units (who requested anonymity) allege that Dr. Shahana continues to operate all forms of misconduct covertly. Her actions have damaged the reputation of this major humanitarian organization both in the past and present.
Despite accusations of corruption and unethical relationships, she has consistently avoided consequences by manipulating senior authorities. Observers are baffled as to why no punitive actions have been taken against her. Allegedly, her past close relationship with former Deputy Secretary General Zakaria Khaled helped her evade accountability.
Dr. Shahana also maintained close ties with Nur-ur Rahman, former Vice Chairman of the Managing Committee and a known ally of the ousted fascist government. Through this connection, she was able to embezzle funds and engage in recruitment rackets. With her support, former committee treasurer M.A. Salam, a member of the health subcommittee under the Awami regime and a businessman, also committed various misdeeds within the Red Crescent.
The misconduct of this corrupt clique became an "open secret," turning the Society into a hub of corruption. Their impunity encouraged others to follow suit.
Although the managing board installed by the fallen fascist regime has been dissolved, Dr. Shahana — known as a BNP activist with Awami sympathies — continues to build relationships with current influential figures and threatens or intimidates Red Crescent staff using their names.
Recently, despite being transferred due to corruption allegations, she managed to remain in her post by mysteriously influencing senior officials.
Despite 12 investigation reports confirming her corruption and misconduct, the Society remains silent. Insider sources claim that two current managing board members — Dr. Sheikh Abu Zafar and Prof. Dr. Imran Bin Younus — are supporting her, creating opportunities for those accused of wrongdoing to persist in their positions under their protection.
Another Corrupt Figure – Sultan Ahmed Himself
Sultan Ahmed is the central controller of the entire corrupt network, manipulating every financial and administrative decision within the organization to create a deeply corrupt structure. Under his influence, every appointment, transfer, and promotion is tied to a specific rate of bribery, while massive amounts of funds from relief, health, and development projects are being siphoned into the pockets of syndicate members.
According to the administrative structure of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), these operations are supposed to function under the Secretary General and the Human Resources (HR) Department. However, in reality, this structure has been completely disregarded by an unofficial and invisible coalition. The Chairman’s Personal Assistant (PS-1) Md. Sohag Mia and Deputy Secretary General Sultan Ahmed have seized administrative control of the organization. This reveals a blatant disregard for the constitution and a serious violation of the organization's fundamental governance framework.
This duo has consistently bypassed the Secretary General and the HR Department to make and implement illegal decisions. Most of these actions have served personal interests, political rehabilitation, and financial gain. This distortion of administrative power has severely damaged the organization's neutrality and its ability to fulfill humanitarian responsibilities.
Due to a family connection (the sister of the Secretary General, Dr. Kabir Md. Ashraf Alam, is related to Sultan Ahmed), the Secretary General has become effectively administratively inactive. As a result, all top-level decision-making within the organization has fallen under the control of PS-1 and the Deputy Secretary General — a situation that poses a serious threat to the integrity of a humanitarian organization.
Forgery in the Appointment Letter of the Chairman’s Personal Assistant and Misuse of the Chairman’s Signature and Violation of Rules
Ignoring the 2015 Human Resource Policy and Standing Orders completely, the Chairman and the Deputy Secretary General directly managed the recruitment process. This has clearly led to allegations of nepotism and financial corruption in job appointments involving close associates. The HR department and the Governing Board were entirely bypassed in the recruitment process.
Chairman’s personal assistant Sohag Mia is accused of hiding his previous employment information from Beacon Pharmaceuticals and joining the Red Crescent in a high-paying PS-1 position. It is also alleged that he received salaries from two organizations simultaneously, which is an extreme example of financial misconduct.
Initially, the Secretary General proposed his appointment as a Public Relations Officer, but later, with the Deputy Secretary General’s intervention and by using a handwritten note of the Chairman, an appointment letter was forged for the PS-1 position, thereby contaminating the entire administrative process.
Using the Chairman’s name, PS-1 Sohag Mia is accused of increasing his own salary and allowances multiple times. He himself wrote comments on his appointment letter and got it approved by the Chairman with the Deputy Secretary General’s assistance, which is completely illegal according to the Governing Board and the organogram.
Additionally, Khan Enamul, the Chairman’s family driver, was appointed as a driver in the Red Crescent without following any rules or protocols. The Treasurer and the Governing Board were excluded from this appointment process, which is another violation of rules and an illegal step.
Under the guise of confidentiality, important decisions such as appointments have been approved with excuses of being “out of Dhaka.” This violates the organization’s organogram, standing orders, and established administrative structure. There are also allegations against the PS-1 for admitting students to the Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College by taking money in exchange for seats reserved for poor and meritorious students. This is not just a moral violation but a step against the humanitarian mandate.
Start of Political Rehabilitation and Reinstatement of Cancelled Decisions
Immediately after taking charge, the current Chairman of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, Dr. Azizul Islam, began political rehabilitation within the society. In this process, a controversial promotion decision that was previously cancelled in a Governing Board meeting was reinstated. The recipient of this promotion was Md. Rezaul Karim, who was once one of the key organizers of a political group called ‘Bangabandhu Parishad.’ Although he was dropped in a previous Managing Board meeting due to lack of fitness for the director post, on April 10th, the promotion of the officer who had secured first place in the exam was cancelled and he was promoted again. This decision was taken solely on the Chairman’s directive, with allegations of substantial financial transactions involving Deputy Secretary General Sultan Ahmed and the Personal Assistant (PS).
Contractual Reappointment and Financial Corruption as Part of the Awami Rehabilitation Process
Through the joint efforts of the Chairman and Deputy Secretary General Sultan Ahmed, retired director Mizanur Rahman was reappointed on a contractual basis in exchange for financial interests. He was a former board member and the husband of Awami League affiliate Rajia Sultana Luna. After the completion of his first term, he was reappointed again in the same manner. There are clear allegations of political collusion and financial transactions behind this appointment, with the roles of the Deputy Secretary General and the Personal Assistant being questionable. This appointment process was also carried out without the proper consent of the Governing Board or adherence to the Human Resource policy.
Transfer Trade and Controversial Rehabilitation
Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. S. M. Humayun Kabir, who is closely affiliated with the Awami League and controversial due to allegations of corruption, was reinstated as Director of the Blood Donation Program by the sole order of the Chairman. By the same order, former Chairman’s sister Nazma Parvin was transferred from Chattogram to Dhaka. These changes disregarded the opinions of board members, and it is alleged that millions of taka changed hands behind these transfers. Due to the direct involvement of the Chairman’s Personal Assistant and Deputy Secretary General Sultan, these transfers are considered clear examples of ‘transfer trade.’
Multiple Irregularities and Corruption Allegations against Awami Associate and Director Dr. Humayun Kabir
A serious investigation found evidence of significant irregularities and corruption in the appointment and subsequent activities of Dr. S. M. Humayun Kabir. Despite exceeding the prescribed age limit, he was appointed while on post-retirement leave. This appointment violated government policies and was done through a biased process. Additionally, without formally resigning from his previous job, he joined the new position through financial dealings. The investigation revealed that he appointed numerous relatives and others, and engaged in corruption worth crores of taka through tender-less procurement of pathological equipment.
Rehabilitation of Controversial Awami Officials and Political Patronage
Controversial Awami-affiliated official Kazi Asaduzzaman was reinstated and transferred from Pabna to Dhaka to hold an important position in the Society. It is alleged that several lakh taka were involved in the financial transactions and approvals behind this transfer, with direct involvement of Sohag Mia, known as the Chairman’s Personal Assistant (PS), and the direct cooperation of Deputy Secretary General Sultan Ahmed. Kazi Asaduzzaman’s political connections are also clear—his father-in-law is the Awami League’s municipal president, and his cousins are leaders in the Jubo League and Upazila Awami League.
Abusing his power, he arranged a job for his wife, Monira Parvin, at Holy Family Medical College in exchange for money. He also appointed Khairul Islam Lion, a controversial figure, as Secretary at Jamalpur Red Crescent. Behind this appointment too, large financial transactions took place through the PS and Sultan Ahmed, ignoring the committee sent by the district administration. This has caused unrest in the Jamalpur district administration.
According to several Red Crescent officials, the main leader of this corruption syndicate is Managing Board member and hospital governing body member Dr. Sheikh Abu Jafar. Under his direction, Deputy Secretary General Sultan Ahmed and PS Sohag Mia have conducted crores of taka worth of financial transactions under the guise of recruitment business, promotions, and transfers. Every administrative decision is part of a planned conspiracy to gain financial benefits. Dr. Abu Jafar’s administrative domination has tarnished Red Crescent’s reputation as a humanitarian organization. Recently, allegations surfaced that he influenced the approval process of a promotion for personal gain and financial bribes, with mentions of the Society’s Chairman’s involvement as well.
Demand for Independent Investigation and Punishment
In a country like Bangladesh, where corruption often destroys institutions, the rampant syndicate-based corruption within a national humanitarian organization like the Red Crescent is extremely regrettable. In light of this mountain of corruption allegations, we demand an immediate independent and impartial investigation. Based on the investigation, punitive measures must be taken against the individuals involved, and effective steps should be taken to restore the Red Crescent’s ethics and credibility. This is a matter of urgent necessity.