Dhaka: A female cabin crewmember of Biman Bangladesh Airlines who tested positive for a dope test before the VVIP flight carrying Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to London has been grounded.

Besides, deputy general manager of the flight service of the national flag carrier Nuruzzaman Ranju has also been grounded for negligence of duty as he hid the information about the dope test results.

The action was taken against cabin crewmember Masuma Mufti on Sunday while against Ranju on Monday, said Shakil Meraj, Biman general manager (PR).

The DGM was also served a show-cause notice over the incident, he said, adding that a departmental investigation was also on.

Shakil Meraj said Masuma failed the dope test before the VVIP flight of the Prime Minister on Friday last.

Although Ranju barred her from that flight, he did not inform the flight schedule department of the results of the dope test and went to London with that flight.

As the flight schedule department knew nothing about the dope test, it assigned Masuma as a cabin crewmember on Saturday although there is a provision of not assigning a crewmember for 90 days if he/she tests positive for a dope test.

As the matter came to light on Sunday, Masuma was grounded, Shakil Meraj said, adding that Ranju was grounded on Monday upon his return from London.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka for London en route to New York on Friday to attend the 73^rd Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.