Even after a change in government, a government official of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Md. Sohel Mia, has continued to hold a significant position at the office of the ministry’s highest policy-making authority—a relatively unusual development.
Sohel previously served as the personal officer to a minister and a state minister under the Awami League government. He later served as the personal officer to Adilur Rahman Khan, then an adviser to the interim government.
The Ministry of Housing and Public Works has long been the subject of allegations involving irregularities, corruption, tender manipulation, transfers and postings, and unexplained wealth. Several investigative reports have been published over the years concerning such allegations.
More recently, serious allegations have emerged against ministry official Sohel Mia involving influence peddling, transfers and postings, tenders, allocation of plots and flats, and the accumulation of substantial assets.
According to several complainants, Sohel used his access to important files and documents while serving as the adviser’s personal officer to influence decisions on various matters. He has also been accused of receiving financial benefits from different parties in exchange for such influence.
However, these allegations have not yet been independently established. Determining their veracity would require verification of relevant government records, bank accounts, tax returns, property deeds, financial transactions, and statements from the individuals concerned.
Flat and Car in the Name of His Rickshaw-Puller Father
According to information obtained during the investigation, a 1,358-square-foot flat in Section 16 of Mirpur was allegedly allocated in the name of Sohel Mia’s father, Md. Fazlul Haque, through the National Housing Authority on July 15, 2024, under a reserved quota for a state minister.
According to local residents, Fazlul Haque had long made a living by driving rickshaws, vans, and auto-rickshaws. His alleged acquisition of a flat in Mirpur under a reserved quota has therefore raised questions about his financial capacity and eligibility.
In addition, a white Toyota private car with a 1,500cc engine was reportedly purchased in Fazlul Haque’s name on October 15, 2025. The vehicle is registered as Dhaka Metro Ga-29-1365.
People close to Sohel have also claimed that the family owns another expensive vehicle. However, this information requires independent verification.
Contracting Firm Established Within a Year of Joining Government Service
Sohel Mia joined government service on September 13, 2018. Just over a year later, on September 29, 2019, a first-class contracting firm named “M/s Nexus Enterprise” reportedly obtained a trade licence from Kalihati Municipality in Tangail.
The firm is registered in the name of Sohel’s father, Md. Fazlul Haque. The trade licence number is 00751 and the licence ID is 05-005-00751. Fazlul Haque’s TIN is reportedly 852852621485, while the VAT registration number of the firm is 002234904-0406.
The investigation further found that a bank account was opened in the name of Nexus Enterprise at a private bank in Kalihati on October 6, 2019.
According to information cited in the investigation, the account had a balance of Tk 1,049,524 on February 16, 2020.
Allegation of Becoming a First-Class Contractor Without Relevant Experience
Questions have also been raised over Nexus Enterprise’s enlistment as a government contractor.
According to information obtained during the investigation, the firm was enlisted as a first-class contractor with the Education Engineering Department on February 3, 2021, allegedly without any significant prior experience.
There have also been allegations that the influence of then State Minister for Housing and Public Works Sharif Ahmed was used in the process.
However, these allegations require independent verification through relevant official documents and evidence demonstrating any specific exercise of influence.
Land, Market and Luxury House in Kalihati
Sohel Mia’s ancestral home is in the Kalihati municipal area of Tangail. An investigation has reportedly uncovered information about several properties allegedly owned by members of his family.
Approximately six decimals of land beside Sonali Bank on Hospital Road were reportedly purchased in the name of his father, Fazlul Haque. Local residents claim that the current market value of land in the area is around Tk 3 million per decimal.
Construction of a market is reportedly underway on the property.
According to local residents, approximately Tk 25 million had been spent on construction of the market as of November 2025. However, the actual construction cost and source of the funds would need to be established through documentary evidence.
There are also allegations that a business establishment for Sohel’s younger brother, Anwar, is being developed near Fakirbari Road in Kalihati for a travel agency.
Nearby stands a house known as “Fazlul Haque Villa.” Its