Sexual Harassment and Rape of Female Crew Members: Anonymous Exposes Explosive Documentary on Biman Bangladesh Airlines

PNN Special Correspondent: The international hacker collective ‘Anonymous’ has recently released an explosive documentary exposing alleged corruption, smuggling, human trafficking, and severe sexual abuse within Biman Bangladesh Airlines, triggering nationwide outrage.

The revelations came through a video message posted on the Facebook page of investigative journalist Zulkarnain Saer. According to the video, the suicide of a female employee of Biman was the catalyst for the investigation. Anonymous declared this as part of their “personal operation” and vowed not to stop until the full truth is exposed.

Key Allegations Raised in the Video:

1. Recruitment Corruption:

• In the pilot recruitment exams of 2019–2020, pass marks were increased by adding 'grace marks', enabling blatant favoritism.
  
  

• Captain Sajid Ahmed allegedly leaked the recruitment circular and secured a job for his wife Sadia Ahmed using a fake degree.
  
  

• Captain Ishtiaque Hossain reportedly used government-sponsored foreign travel to help recruit his son Sadif Hossain as a pilot.
  
  

• Mohammad Shayekh, son of Captain Helal, and Sharmin Chowdhury, daughter of Captain Hasnain, were also allegedly recruited in violation of the rules.
  
  

2. Smuggling and Human Trafficking:

• Anonymous claims Biman was used as a channel for smuggling 756 kg of gold (2013–2015) and 12.32 kg of drugs (2020)—which they say represent only a fraction of the actual trafficking.
  
  

• On March 25, 2025, Biman official Shawkat Ali was arrested for aiding notorious trafficker Fakhruddin.
  
  

• Human trafficking reportedly occurred using fake boarding passes and crew IDs.
  
  

• Despite being in charge during these incidents, former GM of Cargo, Rashedul Karim, was not investigated but instead promoted to Director of Customer Service.
  
  

3. Sexual Harassment and Rape of Female Crew Members:

• Anonymous claims to have spoken to over a hundred female crew members, who described a culture of fear and retaliation—where victims are punished instead of perpetrators.
  
  

• Several senior officials were named, including Captain Rabbi, M.A. Kader Chowdhury, Captain Yusuf Mahmud, Captain Ishtiaque, crew member Shopnil, and Flight Purser Suman.
  
  

• Allegations include inappropriate propositions during flights, late-night phone harassment, blackmail using sensitive photos, and even attempted rape.
  
  

• Among 15 female pilots, 9 (60%) have filed formal sexual harassment complaints, but no action has been taken. Instead, the accused continue flying under the pretext of a “pilot shortage.”
  
  

“Operation No Safe Harbor” Declared:

Anonymous has announced that starting July 10, 2025, it will launch a cyberwarfare campaign against the accused.
They’ve threatened to leak personal data, bank records, and hidden assets of the perpetrators.

They further stated: "If an independent and neutral judicial investigation committee is formed and the safety of the victims is ensured, we will hand over all our evidence. Otherwise, we will make the lives of the accused unbearable."