In a rejoinder, it said the alleged downgrading of seats of Mahi B Chowdhury's sister Muna Chowdhury and her husband in Biman's Dhaka-bound flight from Bangkok on December 1 is not true.

"The fact is that Muna Chowdhury and her husband holding business class tickets were downgraded to economy class as they reported late and business class was already filled," Biman claimed.

State Minister for Home Lutfozzaman Babar had no role in the seating arrangements on the flight. Moreover, a gesture to Muna Chowdhury, the state minister requested the flight attendants to arrange seats for Muna Chowdhury and her husband in the business class by vacating seats of his relatives. Then they were accommodated in business class, the rejoinder added.