Lt Gen (retd) M Harun-Ar-Rashid stepped down as member secretary of Sector Commanders Forum yesterday following reports in a section of media accusing him of using the forum for the business of Destiny-2000 Ltd.
"I do not want to make any trouble for the Sector Commanders Forum. That is why, I resigned," Gen Harun, also the president of Destiny-2000 Ltd, told The Daily Star over the phone.
He said he sent his resignation letter through a messenger to the forum's Chief Air Vice-Marshal (retd) AK Khandker, who is also the planning minister of the present government.
Established in 2007, the Sector Commanders Forum (SCF) launched a vigorous movement demanding trial of war criminals of 1971.
Asked whether his resignation will weaken the movement, Gen Harun, also a former army chief, said he had resigned since the allegation was raised against him.
When asked to comment on Gen Harun's resignation, Maj Gen (retd) KM Safiullah, one of the surviving sector commanders and a member of the SCF, said Gen Harun was doing very important task being a part of the forum.
"There may have an ill-motive to malign the image of Harun by making fabricated news reports on him. Whatever decision Harun has taken, it is praiseworthy," said Gen Safilullah, also a former army chief.
Harun's resignation came following a number of reports published in different newspapers recently, bringing allegation against him that he has been using the forum in his personal interests, particularly to serve the business of Destiny-2000 Ltd, a multi-level marketing (MLM) company, which is accused of illegal banking and other irregularities.
A Bangladesh Bank (BB) inquiry recently found proof of illegal banking by Destiny Multipurpose Co-operative Society, a sister concern of Destiny.
According to the BB probe report, illegal banking by the company is creating disorder in the country's financial sector.
The company is involved in banking activities -- from deposit collection to lending -- illegally. It has around 70 lakh members and set a target to take the number to 1 crore by this year, the BB probe revealed.
The probe also found a link between the current liquidity crisis in the banking sector and the booming MLM business.
DESTINY GROUP CHAIRMAN MEETS NBR MEMBER
A team of Destiny officials led by its Chairman Mohammad Rafiqul Amin met National Board of Revenue (NBR) Member Md Alauddin yesterday.
The delegation appealed the tax authority to unfreeze the bank accounts of Destiny's top brass. NBR, however, denied the plea, said an NBR official.
Instead, the NBR informed Destiny top officials about the tax-related irregularities of the MLM company.
The tax authority earlier froze bank accounts of Destiny Group's five directors, including its chairman.
It also collected information on bank accounts of all directors of the group and its concerns in a bid to examine whether the MLM firm has evaded tax.
Thursday, May 3, 2012 03:06 AM GMT+06:00 (75 weeks ago)
Good tactics. By resigning he has already proved his guilt but at the same time he has saved his skin from answering many a questions. What an embarrassment for the nation! We are surprised at the comments of the ex Army Chief Shafiullah. What pains us when we see this very SCF is only bothered about the war crimes trial leaving aside so many other burning issues including threats to our sovereignty. It is only an irony.
Thursday, May 3, 2012 03:19 AM GMT+06:00 (75 weeks ago)
This has not only heightened our respect towards the General, on the other hand, now, we have to think about Destiny-2000 Ltd ... whether they are into any wrong doing as they have Gen Harun involved. A positive decision, our elders might have some food for thoughts in it.
Thursday, May 3, 2012 05:42 AM GMT+06:00 (75 weeks ago)
Indeed Harun had used the SCF name to advance his personal interest of plundering the ordinary citizens of the country as part of the fraudulent Destiny MLM company. He should have resigned when he tried to bribe journalists earlier. Good!
Thursday, May 3, 2012 06:04 AM GMT+06:00 (75 weeks ago)
Not a member of Sector Commanders Forum anymore! how was he a leader of the forum?
Thursday, May 3, 2012 08:55 AM GMT+06:00 (75 weeks ago)
I respect very few people from the core of my heart and General Harun was one of them. He served Bangladesh Army with honesty and dignity. In this critical juncture, we need all of our freedom fighters united so that some vested quarter cannot foil the trial of the war criminals. But General Harun took the side of the... instead of the freedom fighters. Now I ask my conscience - what is the difference between General Harun and Rajakars (collaborators) who took the side of the then Pakistani butchers?
Thursday, May 3, 2012 09:12 AM GMT+06:00 (75 weeks ago)
Mr. Harun should have realised before joining the forum that heroism is something different, the foundation of which is built on sacrifice of petty self interest. Scramble for loot does not go hand in hand with heroism. He has done a great disservice to the cause for which the forum was constituted by enlisting his name with it. Heroism is a life long mission, getting involved in freedom struggle in the capacity of a paid soldier can seldom achieve that.
Thursday, May 3, 2012 10:00 AM GMT+06:00 (75 weeks ago)
there are many flaws in our law and the accused come out through these tiny holes. So i am afraid whether they will be able to flee away though we are accustomed of it too. Therefore I urge the govt please take proper steps and also legislate if needed but stop them because they cheat our artless people and youths by showing them colorful dreams.
Thursday, May 3, 2012 10:08 AM GMT+06:00 (75 weeks ago)
Harum should be immediately arrested and prosecuted. No one is above the law.
Thursday, May 3, 2012 10:23 AM GMT+06:00 (75 weeks ago)
A war hero like Gen. Harun should not have allowed his good name to be associated with an MLM company like the Destiny-2000. This good decision should have come much earlier!
Thursday, May 3, 2012 05:01 PM GMT+06:00 (75 weeks ago)
Sorry to see a Gen quitting like this with a burden of humiliation. Happy to see him quit.
Thursday, May 3, 2012 07:22 PM GMT+06:00 (75 weeks ago)
This is a shame. I agree that they are war heroes, but if you see their activities following the war they have let the nation down over and over again. Most of the sector commander's could not hold on their image that they gained following the liberation war. The resignation of Gen Harun is just a continuation of the "failure to maintain their image".
Thursday, May 3, 2012 08:24 PM GMT+06:00 (75 weeks ago)
Everybody knows that this man is using not only the forum but also the freedom fighter membership for his own fortune building.
Thursday, May 3, 2012 11:45 AM GMT+06:00 (75 weeks ago)
It's very shameful! If Lt. Gen. Harun had quit from Destiny Group and stay Sector Commanders Forum then it would have been a great decision for him.