Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, former managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of telecom operator Robi, on Sunday provided the first testimony in the Tk227 crore compensation suit he filed against his former workplace in 2022.

The testimony recording in the case started with the testimony given before Judge Alamgir Al Mamun of Dhaka Joint District and Sessions Judge Court. The next date for recording Mahtab’s testimony was fixed on 25 July.

On 22 August 2022, the former Robi CEO sued the company demanding Tk227 crore in compensation for his unjust dismissal. In addition to Robi Axiata, the company’s former Group CEO Izzaddin Idris, and current board Chairman Thayaparan S Sangarapillai were made defendants.

According to case statements, Izzaddin Idris engaged in a dispute with Mahtab over several issues, including salaries paid to Mahtab. The board chairman Thayaparan S Sangarapillai supported Izzaddin in these disputes.

Mahtab, the country’s first CEO of a telecom operator, resigned earlier than his tenure, likely due to these complexities within the company. However, two days after accepting his resignation, the company launched a disciplinary probe into his alleged financial mishandlings in 2019.

Mahtab claims the allegations were false and manipulated by Izzaddin to tarnish the resigned CEO’s image, as Izzaddin sought revenge for previous disputes.

Robi knew of the alleged 2019 transactions, and an independent audit for the year had found no irregularity in the transactions, according to Mahtab.

About nine months after his resignation, Robi formally dismissed Mahtab from his posts, leading to losses in retirement and other employment benefits for Mahtab.

BDST: 2112 HRS, JULY 14, 2024
MSK