The youth and sports ministry has reinstated an official who, along with three others, was earlier dismissed on charges of embezzling Tk 11.52 crore.

The reinstatement, done through a gazette notification on June 5, has raised concerns among many who said the move would call into question the government's commitment to fighting corruption.

A three-member committee formed by the ministry investigated Farhat Noor, who was the deputy director (training) at the Directorate General of Youth Development, and three other officials in connection with the embezzlement.

The committee found proof that all four had involvement in embezzling the money. They disbursed the money, which was meant for beneficiaries, to the subordinate offices under the directorate illegally.

Bangladesh Public Service Commission endorsed the ministry's decision to terminate them, after which Farhat and the three others were dismissed under Rule 3(b) of the Government Servants (Continuation and Appeal) Rules, 2018, on February 12.

The Anti-Corruption Commission also approved filing a case against the four following an investigation.

However, in the June 5 order, the ministry asked Farhat to resume his duties in the same position in Moulvibazar.

On March 18, he filed an appeal with the Prime Minister's Office. In it, he pleaded for withdrawal of his dismissal, the gazette notification said.

Contacted, Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh, said that if the reinstatement is not supported by concrete evidence that the corruption allegations, based on which he was dismissed earlier, have been found in due process to be invalid and unjustified, it will be regarded as a highly controversial action "to say the least".

He added that such a decision contradicts the government's repeated commitments to zero tolerance against corruption.

"Questions will be asked whether this is an example of protection and promotion of corruption, which will only encourage further corruption in public institutions with unrestricted impunity."

Several officials of the ministry concerned, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed their disappointment over the reinstatement.

"His restoration sends a wrong message to junior officials that despite being found guilty, he did not have to face punishment," an official said.

Another official said, "Officials of the ministry investigated this officer; everyone knew he was involved in the corruption, but he got back his job instead."