BUET Student Sony Murder Case Accused Now Influential Consuls General in Yunus Government

Staff Correspondent

Two of the accused in the initial chargesheet in the murder case of BUET student Sabikun Nahar Sony are now Bangladesh’s consul generals in two important cities in the United States. The appointment of Mozammel Haque Peter as consul general in New York and Kazi Javed Iqbal as consul general in Los Angeles has created intense debate and uproar in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It has been alleged that they not only removed their names from the charge sheet of the murder case by exerting political influence, but also continued their abuse of power, corruption and unprecedented partisanship even after joining the Foreign Ministry. Multiple sources have confirmed that these two officials have become the fate of the Foreign Ministry after the August 5 change of heart.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both Mozammel Haque Peter and Kazi Javed Iqbal were known as terrorist cadres of Chhatra Dal while studying at BUET. On June 8, 2002, a talented student, Soni, was killed in an armed clash between two groups of Chhatra Dal over a tender dispute on the BUET campus. Peter and Javed were directly involved in this clash and their names were also included in the initial charge sheet of the murder case.

Both of them were able to get their names removed from the charge sheet by using the influence of the then BNP government’s deputy minister and a close relative of Tarique Rahman. Later, they used the influence of Hawa Bhaban to take the BCS exam under special arrangements at BUET’s Rashid Hall instead of taking it at the designated center and were appointed to the foreign cadre.

Since joining the foreign cadre, these two officials have been accused of partisanship and abuse of power. They directly participated in BNP’s political programs, which is a clear violation of the civil servant code of conduct. Their activities continued even after the change of government.

It is alleged that Mozammel Haque Peter was involved in Dhaka politics and tender manipulation despite being posted abroad. On the other hand, Kazi Javed Iqbal was accused of corruption while working at the Bangladesh embassies in Qatar and China and was brought back to the country before the end of his term.

After August 5, Peter and Javed became the control of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by establishing close contact with the advisors at the center of power. It has been alleged that important postings and appointments in the Ministry are now being made at their will. Several officials have said that the Foreign Affairs Advisor and Secretary are helpless under their pressure. They are creating pressure for transfers by ‘tagging’ officials as they please and are succeeding in most cases.

Mozammel Haque Peter was appointed as the Consul General of Bangladesh in New York, bypassing many senior and qualified officials. Recently, it has been alleged that an advisor at the New York Consulate was harassed by local BNP workers at his instigation. It is learnt that he is also continuing the posting and appointment business of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka from New York.

The investigation also revealed that Mozammel Haque Peter’s appointment as Assistant Private Secretary (APS) to Dr. Yunus, the chief advisor to the interim government, was almost final. But he was not allowed to join at the last minute due to fears that his involvement in the Sony murder might come to light. As an alternative, he was sent as Consul General to an important place like New York.

On the other hand, Kazi Javed Iqbal has also taken the post of Consul General from Germany to Los Angeles by bypassing his seniors. According to the posting policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, posting from Germany (Group A) to Los Angeles (Group A) is not legal. But he secured this appointment by using political influence.

Multiple sources in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the chain of command in the ministry is on the verge of breaking down due to the violence of these two officials. There is intense frustration and anger among senior and professional diplomats because of them. Those concerned also fear that the appointment of the accused in the Sony murder case to such important positions and their control over the ministry may tarnish the country’s image in the international arena.

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