Matiur Rahman Removed from NBR Post Amid Wealth Controversy

Matiur Rahman, the president of the National Board of Revenue’s (NBR) Customs, Excise, and VAT Appellate Tribunal, has been reassigned to the Internal Resources Division (IRD) of the Finance Ministry following a recent scandal concerning his wealth.

The government issued an official circular today mandating his immediate transfer.

The controversy erupted after Matiur Rahman’s son, Mushfiqur Rahman Ifat, posted a picture of a sacrificial goat on social media, claiming it cost Tk 12 lakh. This raised public scrutiny given Matiur Rahman’s grade-1 position and basic monthly salary of Tk 78,000.

Further investigation revealed photos of Ifat with luxury cars and exposed the family’s substantial wealth, including properties in Dhaka, Gazipur, and Narsingdi.

In a statement to The Daily Star, Matiur denied that Ifat was his son, claiming to be a victim of a conspiracy. He pointed to his wife, Laila Kaniz Lucky, the chairman of Raipura upazila in Narsingdi district, suggesting political motivations ahead of a postponed election.

NBR officials disclosed that Matiur had investments in the stock market. Matiur clarified that he has two children: a daughter living in Canada and a son who graduated in economics from a U.S. university.

Additional reports linked the young Ifat to lawmaker Nizam Uddin Hazari from the Feni-2 constituency, identifying him as the son of Shammi Akkhter Shivli (Shibu), who is allegedly Matiur’s second wife.

Following his transfer, attempts to reach Matiur Rahman for comment were unsuccessful.