Shohoj summoned to court over illegal foreign employment

The High Court yesterday issued a rule asking the respondents to explain in four weeks why and how Rajiv Bhattacharya, senior vice-president of Shohoj Limited, has been working in Bangladesh without the requisite work permit.

The bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Md. Ashraful Kamal came up with the rule after hearing a petition filed by Ektander Hossain Howlader, an advocate and income tax practitioner, said Khurshid Alam Khan, the petitioner's lawyer.

As per the Board of Investment Guideline 2011, work permit is mandatory for foreign nationals working in Bangladesh. Maliha M Quadir, managing director of Shohoz, however, told The Daily Star yesterday Bhattacharya has valid work permit with legal documents.

The respondents include secretaries of the: home affairs, road transport and bridges, and information ministries; executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority; additional inspector general of the special branch of police; Bangladesh Bank governor; National Board of Revenue chairman; director general of the department of immigration and passport; Bangladesh Road Transport Authority secretary; Bhattacharya; and Shohoj Limited.

Khan said the petitioner earlier served two notices demanding justice and to take appropriate measures to investigate and stop Bhattacharya from working in Shohoj in violation of rules for the sake of national interest but to no avail.