Bangladesh Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Deceased Biman CEO
A Dhaka judge has issued an arrest warrant for Kevin John Steele, the former managing director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BG), despite being unaware that Steele had passed away earlier this year. The arrest warrant, issued by Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Zakir Hossain Galib on November 24, 2024, is part of an ongoing case related to a controversial lease agreement between Biman Bangladesh and EgyptAir (MS).
Steele, who had been with Biman Bangladesh as part of efforts to stabilize the airline, died in July 2024 of a heart attack while watching cricket in Antigua. The arrest warrant was issued during a court session connected to a lease deal involving two B777-200ER aircraft leased from EgyptAir in 2014. Steele was among nine individuals named in the case. At the time of the court session, the judge was unaware of Steele’s death.
The court hearing also saw the issuance of arrest warrants for several other individuals involved in the case. Four former Biman Bangladesh officials and one current employee were remanded into custody on corruption charges after surrendering to the court. These individuals are now being held in a Dhaka prison after their bail applications were rejected. Those detained include former principal engineer Shahid Uddin Mohammad Hanif, former engineer officer Zahid Hossain, former deputy chief engineers Muhammad Shahjahan and Shafikul Alam Siddique, and principal systems engineer Sharif Ruhul Quddus.
The charges stem from a 2023 investigation by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission, which alleges the individuals were involved in a mismanaged lease agreement with EgyptAir. The deal, which involved the lease of two B777-200ER aircraft, is said to have cost Biman Bangladesh and the Bangladeshi government approximately BDT 11.64 billion (USD 97.5 million) due to faulty terms and issues with the aircraft. The lease deal has faced scrutiny, leading to multiple investigations by various authorities, including the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and the Anti-Corruption Commission.
Steele, who had previously held leadership roles at British Airways, Etihad Airways, and Arik Air, was brought into Biman to help restore the airline to profitability. However, he resigned for health reasons after facing tension with the airline’s government-appointed board of directors over issues like the appointment of general sales agents and aircraft lease agreements.
The case continues to unfold, with the lease deal remaining a focal point of ongoing investigations. However, ch-aviation reports that while those charged are involved in the proceedings, no one has been found guilty of any offenses at this stage.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com