The trial has begun in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against contractor Golam Kibria Shamim, widely known as G K Shamim, over alleged fraud, the use of forged documents and concealment of a company’s legal identity in connection with a Tk 750 million project to construct the Sixth Academic Building (Second Faculty of Arts and Humanities) at the University of Chittagong (CU).

On August 30, Judge Md. Mizanur Rahman of the Chattogram Divisional Special Judge’s Court framed charges against Shamim, formally initiating the trial. September 20 has been fixed for the first hearing to record witness testimony. Shamim, who is on bail in the case, has pleaded not guilty and sought legal relief.

According to the case documents and the ACC’s investigation report, the University of Chittagong invited tenders on August 28, 2016, for the second phase of construction of the academic building at an estimated cost of Tk 750,001,295. G K Shamim’s company, GKB & Company (Pvt.) Limited, participated in the tender as the lead firm, with The Builders Engineers Associates Limited as its joint-venture partner. An agreement for the project was subsequently signed with the university authorities on November 14 of the same year.

The ACC alleged that GKB & Company (Pvt.) Limited was registered on August 29, 2016, just one day after the tender was invited. This raised questions about the company’s own experience and eligibility to participate in the bidding process. Investigators alleged that the work experience accumulated over 10 years, five years of annual turnover records and financial-capacity information belonging to Shamim’s previously operated sole proprietorship, M/S G K Builders, were used to establish the new company’s eligibility.

The investigation report further alleged irregularities in the disclosure of the company’s legal identity and registration details. It also accused the company of inflating its authorised share capital to influence the tender evaluation committee. According to the case documents, only two contractors were able to participate in the tender. Allegations also emerged that other contractors had been obstructed from collecting tender documents. The incident reportedly triggered clashes between two factions of the Bangladesh Chhatra League on the university campus at the time.

Following Shamim’s arrest in 2019 during the nationwide anti-casino crackdown, when law enforcement agencies reportedly recovered a substantial amount of money, firearms and drugs from his residence in Dhaka’s Niketan area, scrutiny of his contracting activities intensified. The ACC subsequently investigated allegations concerning the tender process for the University of Chittagong project.

According to the case records, the ACC filed the case on November 22, 2020, following an investigation into alleged irregularities in the tender process. After completing its investigation, the commission submitted the charge sheet to the court on May 17, 2025.

Fazlul Karim Chowdhury, managing director of The Builders Engineers Associates Limited, was initially named as an accused in the case. However, investigators recommended his discharge after reportedly finding insufficient evidence against him. Consequently, G K Shamim remains the sole accused in the charge sheet.

The ACC case invokes several provisions of the Penal Code, including Section 420 for cheating, Section 467 for forgery of valuable securities and other specified documents, Section 468 for forgery intended for the purpose of cheating, Section 471 for using forged documents as genuine, and Section 409 for criminal breach of trust by specified categories of persons.

With the court framing charges, the case has formally entered the trial stage. The prosecution is expected to present its evidence and witnesses when testimony begins on September 20.

Transparency in public procurement and proper verification of contractors’ qualifications are essential to ensuring accountability in publicly funded development projects. Allegations of irregularities involving a major infrastructure project at a public university warrant thorough investigation and judicial scrutiny.

However, the allegations against G K Shamim have yet to be established through the trial. He cannot legally be considered guilty unless the charges are proven in court. The final outcome will depend on the evidence presented and the court’s judgment.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday warned that if the opposition paved the way for the return of autocracy while opposing the government, it would betray the martyrs of both the 2024 July uprising and the 1971 Liberation War.Calling for constructive opposition, he urged political parties to work together on fundamental national issues, including employment, public safety, healthcare, education and national independence, despite their political differences.

He said opposing the government merely for the sake of opposition would not help the country move forward.

The prime minister made the remarks while addressing a programme following the inauguration of the July Martyrs' Memorial and the renovated Osmani Udyan in the capital.

Expressing disappointment over the absence of opposition leaders, Rahman said the government had invited them to attend the programme alongside the families of those killed during the July 2024 uprising.

He said opposition leaders could have attended the event and sat with the martyrs' families without sharing the stage with government representatives.

Tarique Rahman said the sacrifices of those killed and injured during the uprising, including people who lost their eyesight, had helped create the political environment in which opposition leaders now serve in parliament.

He questioned why opposition representatives had stayed away from an event honouring those sacrifices.

The prime minister said both the government and opposition had received mandates from voters and must work in the public interest.

He urged political parties to move beyond the culture of blame and focus on issues affecting people's daily lives.

Tarique Rahman acknowledged that political parties could disagree over constitutional amendments and reforms but said they should seek common ground on employment, education, healthcare, public safety and national sovereignty.

He said parliament provided a platform for elected representatives to debate their differences and reach decisions in the public interest.

Drawing a parallel between the Liberation War and the July uprising, Tarique Rahman said both struggles sought to establish democratic rights, freedom of expression and voting rights.

He said the aspirations of those who sacrificed their lives also included better education, healthcare, employment opportunities and a safe environment for future generations.

The prime minister credited the July uprising with helping restore a democratic environment in Bangladesh.

Referring to the BNP's political legacy, he said party founder Ziaur Rahman had introduced multiparty democracy, while former prime minister Khaleda Zia had initiated parliamentary democracy.

Tarique Rahman also said the government was working to provide medical treatment to those injured during the July uprising and assistance, including employment opportunities, to families of those killed.

Earlier, the prime minister inaugurated the July Martyrs' Memorial alongside Abu Sayed's father Md Mokbul Hossain, Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho's father Mostafizur Rahman, Shahriar Khan Anas's mother Sanjida Khan Dipti and Wasim Akram's father Mohammad Shafiul Alam.

The 90-foot-high memorial covers approximately one acre of land and bears the names of those killed during the July uprising. It also features 20 symbolic grave markers.

Relief sculptures at the memorial depict major struggles in Bangladesh's history, including the Language Movement of 1952, the mass uprising of 1969, the Liberation War of 1971, the mass movement of 1990 and the July uprising of 2024.

Tarique Rahman also planted a sapling before inaugurating the renovated 23-acre Osmani Udyan.

The park now features water bodies, new plantations, green spaces, around 3.1 kilometres of walking paths, exercise facilities, public toilets, parking areas and a rainwater harvesting system with a capacity of 50,000 litres.

During his speech, the prime minister urged architects and planners to minimise environmental damage during construction projects.

He also called on visitors to maintain cleanliness at the memorial and the park, describing them as public assets.

Referring to his recent visits to educational institutions, government hospitals and residential facilities for public employees, Rahman said he found educational institutions comparatively cleaner.

He urged hospital authorities and government employees to take greater responsibility for maintaining clean and healthy environments.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, State Minister Mir Shahe Alam, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam and Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton attended the programme, among others.

The Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) is responsible for ensuring the availability of safe, effective, and quality medicines for millions of people across Bangladesh. However, a senior official of this crucial regulatory body has been named in various allegations involving corruption, abuse of power, recruitment and transfer irregularities, and the accumulation of unexplained wealth. These allegations have raised questions about administrative transparency and accountability within the organization. Concerned parties are calling for an impartial investigation and appropriate action.

Operating under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the DGDA plays a vital role in ensuring that safe, effective, and quality medicines are available in the country’s market. However, several sources familiar with the organization allege that irregularities and the concentration of influence have persisted within the department for years. According to these sources, Deputy Director Saikat Kumar Kar joined government service in 2012 and has spent a substantial part of his career working at the DGDA headquarters, allegedly establishing a position of considerable influence. Questions have also been raised about his continued presence at the headquarters despite administrative changes and transfer-related developments.

Allegations have also emerged that an influential internal circle has contributed to the deprivation of some qualified district-level officials of their preferred postings and training opportunities. In contrast, Saikat Kumar Kar is alleged to have received various benefits, including multiple overseas training opportunities. However, an independent examination of relevant documents and administrative decisions is necessary to establish the accuracy of these claims.

Concerns have also been raised about medicine quality-control activities during the 2025–26 fiscal year. According to information provided by concerned sources, the National Drug Control Laboratory (NDCL) identified 77 medicines as substandard during this period. Questions have arisen over the measures taken against the companies responsible for manufacturing and marketing these products, which could pose risks to public health. Complainants allege that some influential pharmaceutical manufacturers have avoided appropriate punitive action. The roles of the relevant officials and the measures taken in response to these findings therefore warrant closer scrutiny.

Further allegations concern the approval of medicine imports and the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs). In particular, questions have been raised over the alleged issuance of NOCs for unregistered food supplements and nutritional supplements. Saikat Kumar Kar has also been accused of seeking financial benefits by delaying or withholding files relating to the issuance of manufacturing licences for allopathic and Unani medicines, packaging approvals, medicine price determination, medical device registration, validation of raw-material sources, and import authorizations. Verification of the relevant documents, approval procedures, and financial transactions is essential to determine whether these allegations have merit.

Serious allegations have also been made regarding recruitment and transfer-related transactions. According to several sources within the organization, financial dealings allegedly took place in connection with transfers to important posts and preferred workplaces. An appointment order involving 74 individuals, published on June 3, 2025, has also become the subject of allegations of irregularities, fraud, and financial transactions. Complainants claim that Saikat Kumar Kar played a role in securing government jobs for several candidates in exchange for money. However, these claims require verification through recruitment records, merit lists, official approvals, and statements from the individuals concerned.

Meanwhile, allegations have surfaced that Saikat Kumar Kar and members of his immediate family own substantial assets, including apartments, land, and significant amounts of cash in affluent areas of the capital. Complainants have also alleged that properties and other movable and immovable assets have been accumulated under various names in Cumilla, his reported hometown, and elsewhere in the country. Without reliable documentation, it is not possible to determine the actual extent, ownership, or sources of funding for these alleged assets. Nevertheless, a thorough investigation could help establish whether the assets are consistent with the relevant income and financial disclosures.

Public health experts and stakeholders emphasize that transparency is essential in an institution entrusted with medicine quality control, licensing, and market surveillance. Allegations of misconduct within such a regulatory body could undermine public confidence and potentially jeopardize public health. Consequently, calls have been made for a coordinated and impartial investigation involving the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and other relevant authorities.

The stakeholders further urge the authorities to take appropriate legal action if the allegations are substantiated. They also stress the need for stronger oversight, transparent administrative procedures, and effective accountability mechanisms to prevent future irregularities and protect the public interest.

The allegations against Saikat Kumar Kar have not been established as proven facts in this report. An independent investigation, supported by documentary evidence and an opportunity for the accused official to respond, is necessary to determine the facts and ensure due process.

Five landowners have been accused of taking control of Mirpur City Center in the name of an Awami League office and continuing to exercise control over the property even after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024. Meanwhile, AG Properties Developments Limited, the developer that financed the construction of the 17-storey commercial building through bank loans, has been seeking administrative intervention to regain control of the property. The company says it is facing a severe financial crisis due to approximately Tk 1.5 billion in loans taken from two banks against the project.

Located on Mirpur-1's main commercial stretch in the capital, Mirpur City Center stands on 30 kathas of land and comprises 17 floors, including three basement levels. AG Properties entered into a development agreement with four landowners, including Haider Ali Khan Bahalul. After obtaining approval from the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), the capital's development authority, the company began construction in 2013.

However, after construction began, AG Properties discovered that the landowners had also entered into an agreement with another company, Australian Asset Development. The developer alleges that this information was concealed when its own agreement was signed. An investigation has also revealed information about agreements involving three separate parties. Multiple lawsuits over the land, along with court injunctions, delayed construction and caused substantial financial losses for the developer.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, AG Properties continued construction in 2020 and 2021. To advance and complete the project, the company borrowed approximately Tk 1.5 billion from two banks. By 2021, when nearly 95 per cent of the construction had been completed, the dispute over control of the building intensified.

According to AG Properties, five landowners, including Haider Ali Khan Bahalul and Shawkat Ali Khan Bipul, entered the building with an armed group affiliated with the Awami League. The company alleges that its officers, employees and engineers were assaulted and forced out of the premises. The group subsequently took control of the building and established an Awami League office there, according to the developer.

Kamrul Hasan, executive engineer at AG Properties, has described the alleged takeover and the difficulties the company has faced since then.

An investigation has identified Haider Ali Khan's father-in-law, Monir Chowdhury, as a possible source of his political influence. Monir Chowdhury is a former senior vice-president of the Awami League's Madaripur district unit, which is currently banned from political activities, and a former chairman of the Madaripur District Council.

Monir Chowdhury is a paternal cousin of Nur-e-Alam Liton Chowdhury, a former chief whip of the Awami League. Allegations suggest that Nur-e-Alam Liton Chowdhury used political influence to facilitate the cancellation of AG Properties' power of attorney. Nurul Amin, the then sub-registrar at the Mirpur Sub-Registry Office, is also alleged to have assisted in the process.

Habibul Hasan, deputy general manager of AG Properties, alleges that the company was asked to pay Tk 50 million in extortion money in addition to facing the cancellation of its power of attorney. He further claims that the company was forced to pay Tk 12.4 million under pressure. Despite the cancellation of the power of attorney, the landowners have allegedly continued to disregard the existing development agreement and retain control of the building.

AG Properties has yet to regain control of the property, even more than two years after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024. The company alleges that the five landowners continue to exert influence over the building.

During a site visit, attempts were reportedly observed to collect rent coercively from tenants occupying shops and commercial spaces allocated to the developer. The alleged actions have also created difficulties for tenants and businesses operating in the building.

Abdur Razzaq, senior vice-president of the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB), said agreements must be respected and enforced according to their terms. He noted that even an influential person cannot evict another party in violation of a contractual agreement. He also said REHAB would look into the Mirpur City Center dispute.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer SM Shahjahan described such actions as unlawful. He said landownership alone does not give a landowner the right to disregard an agreement and remove a developer at will. Developers, he added, conduct business on the basis of contractual arrangements.

Attempts to contact those accused of taking control of the building, demanding extortion money, exerting political influence and facilitating the cancellation of the power of attorney were unsuccessful. Their comments could not be obtained.

Meanwhile, AG Properties says it is facing mounting financial pressure and uncertainty over its investment because it has been unable to regain control of the building while remaining liable for its bank loans. Buyers who purchased shops or commercial spaces in the property are also concerned about the security of their investments.

Affected buyers and company officials have called on the Prime Minister and the relevant administrative authorities to intervene to help restore control of the building, protect investments and resolve the ongoing dispute.