Mohammad Yusup, an accountant working at the office of the Conservator of Forests (CF), Chattogram Region, has been accused of defying an official transfer order, remaining at the same workplace for an extended period, engaging in transfer-related irregularities, collecting alleged monthly payments, and harassing forest officials and employees. Several affected employees and sources familiar with the matter have called for an impartial investigation into the allegations.

According to the allegations, Mohammad Yusup was transferred to the Chattogram South Forest Division through an office order issued around April 2024 and signed by the then Conservator of Forests, Bipul Krishna Das. Despite the order, however, Yusup has continued to work at the CF office. The complainants allege that the transfer order was subsequently removed from official records and that a copy of the order stored in the official email account of the Chattogram South Forest Division was also deleted. They further allege that Abdullah Al Mamun, the then Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the South Forest Division, assisted in the process. These allegations, however, could not be independently verified.

Sources familiar with the matter claim that Yusup has maintained a position of influence at the CF office for a prolonged period despite the transfer order not being implemented. He has also been accused of regularly collecting money from various forest divisions and establishments under the Chattogram Region. Several forest employees, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that those who refuse to make such payments face threats of transfer, harassment, or other forms of workplace pressure.

According to the complainants, fixed monthly payments are allegedly collected from city or headquarters ranges and check stations under different forest divisions. There are also allegations that money is collected on a per-cubic-foot basis in connection with timber permits issued by the Bandarban, Pulpwood Plantation and Lama forest divisions. As no conclusive evidence of these financial transactions has been made public, the allegations require verification through a proper investigation.

There are further allegations that financial transactions are involved in securing preferred or so-called “prize postings” and in obtaining special arrangements to shorten or extend the prescribed tenure of officials and employees. The complainants claim that, as a result, some employees are able to remain at desirable workplaces for extended periods, while others working in remote or difficult locations are allegedly compelled to remain there for years.

The allegations have reportedly continued during the tenure of the current Conservator of Forests of the Chattogram Region, Mihir Kumar Dey. However, his comment on the allegations could not be obtained. Repeated attempts to contact Mohammad Yusup also failed, as his mobile phone was found to be unreachable.

The complainants have called for an investigation that goes beyond simply implementing the transfer order. They have urged the higher authorities of the Forest Department and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate the allegations of financial irregularities, alleged illicit accumulation of wealth and transfer-related misconduct over the past several years. They have also demanded legal action if the allegations are substantiated.

However, the allegations should be verified through relevant official records, the original transfer order, email records, financial documents and statements from the officials and employees concerned. The findings of an impartial investigation, along with responses from the accused parties, will determine the factual basis of the allegations.