BM Abdullah Al Masum, a Revenue Officer (RO) at the Bond Commissionerate, Dhaka (North), has faced allegations of irregularities, bribery, abuse of power and the accumulation of substantial illicit assets. According to several businessmen and officials familiar with the matter, Masum allegedly formed a network at different workplaces to extract unlawful financial benefits. They claim that an influential group is currently active at the Bond Commissionerate, Dhaka (North), as well.
The complainants allege that the network was formed under the patronage of Additional Commissioner Delwar Hossain and includes Assistant Revenue Officer and Commissioner’s Staff Officer Golam Mohammad Hasnain, Commissioner’s PA Majnu Mia and several other officials and employees. The allegations could not be independently verified, and no comments were available from the individuals named in the allegations.
Questions Over ‘Headquarters’ Posting
Sources allege that after being transferred from the Chattogram VAT Commissionerate to the Bond Commissionerate, Dhaka (North), Masum secured the important position of ‘Headquarters Revenue Officer’ through lobbying, allegedly disregarding administrative procedures and seniority.
Since then, he has been accused of holding up files of bond-facility beneficiary companies, showing leniency in audit activities, withdrawing show-cause notices and seeking unlawful financial benefits on various pretexts related to bond licences.
Several people familiar with the matter have particularly alleged that illegal monthly payments of Tk 2–3 crore were collected in connection with the operations of diplomatic bond warehouses. However, the amount and authenticity of these allegations could not be independently verified.
Allegations Over Family Assets
Another major allegation concerns the alleged accumulation of substantial assets in the names of Masum’s family members.
According to the allegations, land was purchased in the Vatara mouza in the name of his wife, Sanjida Afrin Lipi. Complainants have questioned how such assets were acquired despite the alleged absence of any significant visible source of income for her.
Citing relevant documents, the complainants said the land in JL No. 15, Mutation Khatian No. 29716 and Plot No. 20763 was recorded in Sanjida Afrin Lipi’s name through Mutation Case No. 3756(IX-I) during the 2019–20 fiscal year.
The allegations also point to discrepancies in official records concerning the size of the land. While one mutation khatian reportedly lists the property as 0.4000 acres, or 40 decimals, the digital land records allegedly show information indicating 4.96 acres.
According to the complainants’ estimates, if the current market price of land in the Vatara area ranges from Tk 60 lakh to Tk 1.5 crore per katha, 40 decimals of land could be worth approximately Tk 15–36 crore. The value would be substantially higher if the 4.96-acre figure in the digital records were accurate. However, the actual ownership, size and market value of the property cannot be confirmed without verification by the relevant authorities.
The complainants have also alleged that Masum’s wife and relatives own additional assets in Sonadanga in Khulna and other areas.
Alleged Influence Over Revenue Administration
The customs bond system is important to the country’s export-oriented industries. Businesspeople involved in the system say that if an official occupying an important administrative position delays files or demands unlawful payments for providing services, both businesses and the government can suffer.
A former official of the Bond Commissionerate, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the position of Headquarters Revenue Officer is important and that irregularities from such a position could affect the operations of the entire commissionerate. However, this statement could not be independently verified.
Calls for Investigation
Several affected businesspeople have called for an impartial investigation into the allegations. They said Masum’s income-tax records, bank accounts, details of movable and immovable assets, and important files signed by him during his tenure should be examined to establish the truth of the allegations.
They also called for an audit of documents related to diplomatic bond warehouses, statements from beneficiary companies and, if necessary, a review of the relevant call detail records (CDRs).
The complainants have urged the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and other relevant authorities to conduct a neutral investigation. They said that if the allegations are proven, legal action should be taken against those responsible.
Meanwhile, sources said discussions were underway about transferring BM Abdullah Al Masum from the North Customs Bond Commissionerate following the allegations of irregularities and corruption. One source also claimed that Masum himself was trying to secure a transfer to another posting because of the allegations. No official statement was available on the matter.
Comments from BM Abdullah Al Masum, Additional Commissioner Delwar Hossain, Golam Mohammad Hasnain and Majnu Mia could not be obtained regarding the allegations. Their comments will be incorporated in a subsequent report if received.