A foreign investor has raised allegations of harassment after the profile of Novartis Bangladesh Limited, a multinational pharmaceutical company, was removed from the official website of the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC).

The sudden disappearance of the company’s data from the public portal has sparked concerns over transparency, irregularities, and potential threats to the investment climate in Bangladesh.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the profile was removed without any official notice or legal justification. Under normal circumstances, if a company faces legal complications—such as ongoing lawsuits against directors, court orders halting share transfers, or active investigations by government agencies—RJSC may “lock” the company’s profile. In such cases, the company name still appears on the website, although detailed information is restricted.

In this instance, even the name "Novartis Bangladesh" fails to appear in a website search, leading legal experts to suspect that the profile has been deliberately and unlawfully removed in full. They argue this exceeds the authority of the registration office and violates established corporate governance norms.

When approached by the media, RJSC Registrar AKM Nurunnabi Kabir said on Thursday night, "I cannot confirm right now why the profile has been removed. I will need to check at the office."

Speaking on the legal implications, Deputy Attorney General and company law expert Ershadul Bari said, "If there is no legal bar against the company, removing its information from the website is completely unlawful. Such an action is a serious breach of legal procedure."

Industry insiders and legal professionals warn that a company's inability to access or display its profile on the RJSC portal effectively blocks critical operations—particularly share transfers, which require digital verification.

Experts view this as a direct violation of corporate rights and an act of institutional overreach.

Adding to the concern, RJSC sources confirmed that Novartis had officially requested reinstatement of its profile through letters sent on 25 and 26 June.

In both letters, the company clarified that no legal actions or restrictions were pending against it and formally urged RJSC to reopen its portal access. Despite these communications, no action has yet been taken.

The apparent inaction and unexplained removal of the profile are drawing criticism from foreign investors and legal stakeholders alike.

Many view the incident as damaging to Bangladesh’s reputation as a secure and transparent investment destination, warning that such irregularities could deter future foreign direct investment.

Calls are growing for an immediate explanation from RJSC and an independent inquiry into the decision-making behind the removal, as the issue highlights broader concerns regarding regulatory accountability and the rule of law.