A foreign-invested company operating in Bangladesh has been accused of using disputed documents to deprive an expatriate employee of employment-related dues. The allegations are now under the investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Bangladesh.
The allegations concern Poeticgem International Limited, a Bangladesh-based entity associated with Hong Kong-headquartered garment sourcing group PDS Limited, which is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India.
On the other hand, Poeticgem Internatiol Ltd also filed a counter criminal case with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's court against that employee accusing of misconduct and running activities against the company.
Badruzzaman Sumon, Senior Manager (HRBP) of Poeticgem Internatiol Ltd, filed the case mentioning that the employee had spread various false propaganda against Poetic Gem International Ltd. to different buyer organizations through what the company describes as a fake e-mail ID and leaked confidential information of the company alleging that the employee caused Tk 135 crore in damages to the company.
Contacted over phone to know about the allegation of using disputed documents to deprive an expatriate employee of his employment-related dues, the Senior Manager (HRBP) of Poeticgem International Ltd, however, declined to make any comment on the matter.
Sub-Inspector Harunur Rashid of CID, who is investigating the case filed against Poeticgem Internatiol Ltd, said that the case filed by an Indian expatriate employee against Poeticgem International Ltd, is still under investigation.
Asked, the SI of the CID said, "Until the investigation is completed, he cannot say whether the allegation against the Poeticgem International Ltd is true."
In another reply, SI Harunur Rashid said, it might take one more month to complete the investigation.
According to the allegation, the company allegedly cancelled the work permit of one of its employees based on a disputed resignation document and later initiated counter criminal proceedings against him.
To note that employee has already filed cases, including a criminal defamation case and a forgery case, currently pending before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Dhaka.
According to submissions made through legal counsel, the employee’s separation was communicated as a termination citing cost-cutting. However, subsequent filings allegedly recorded the separation as a voluntary resignation.
Court filings further allege that a resignation letter bearing a digital signature was created and used while the employee was physically outside Bangladesh. Passport and immigration records have reportedly been submitted to support the claim that the employee was in India at the relevant time.
Under the Bangladesh Labour Act, the classification of separation as either termination or resignation is significant, as statutory entitlements may differ depending on the nature of separation. The disputed classification therefore forms a central issue in the pending proceedings.
Documents reviewed indicate that the disputed resignation record was allegedly used in official filings, including filings connected with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). Legal practitioners note that, if established, the use of a fabricated document may fall within the scope of provisions relating to forgery and use of forged documents under the Bangladesh Penal Code.
According to the documented timeline placed before relevant forums, the employee was informed on July 31, 2025, during a Microsoft Teams video call involving senior company officials, that his employment was being terminated due to cost-cutting.
According to documents referenced in legal filings on August 1, 2025, the company allegedly sent an email acknowledging the termination and stating that settlement would be completed within a week. This email is cited in legal filings as supporting the position that the separation was communicated as termination and not resignation.
Further communications involving senior officials of the wider PDS group have also been referenced in the legal record as part of the post-separation settlement discussions.
On August 9, 2025, the company reportedly offered a settlement of USD 151,600. The employee’s legal submissions place his claim at USD 917,393, stated to be based on 13 years of service, outstanding salary, ESOP-related entitlements, contractual dues and damages.
Following the failure of settlement discussions, the employee alleges in legal proceedings that the company used a disputed resignation letter bearing a forged digital signature and subsequently initiated criminal proceedings against him before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court. The company has alleged losses of Tk 135 crore, a claim denied by the employee in the pending proceedings.
Meanwhile, separate proceedings have also been initiated by the employee, including one before the CMM Court and another before the Labour Court in Dhaka. The Labour Court case, filed on April 27, 2026, argues that the employee qualifies as a “worker” under Section 2(65) of the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 and is entitled to statutory protections, including gratuity and compensation for wrongful termination. The CMM Court has ordered the CID to investigate the matter.
The employee has also informed BIDA and the Indian High Commission in Dhaka regarding the dispute. In addition, formal complaints have reportedly been filed with SEBI, BSE, and NSE, alleging non-disclosure of material legal proceedings under Regulation 30 of SEBI’s LODR Regulations 2015. RTI applications have also been filed with SEBI, BSE, NSE, and the Ministry of Finance seeking information on disclosure compliance.
The report is based on documents and records reviewed by this correspondent.
