Khan Mohammad Ruhul Amin, Assistant Revenue Officer at the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority’s (BRTA) Dhaka Metro Circle-1, has been facing a series of allegations of irregularities and corruption. Earlier, allegations were raised over his alleged involvement in irregularities related to the scrapping of CNG-run vehicles, including claims of embezzlement involving crores of taka. Despite these allegations, he has continued to serve at the same circle for a prolonged period. Most recently, allegations have surfaced that he has been patronising a broker syndicate operating around the BRTA office.
According to an investigation, Ruhul Amin has been working at Dhaka Metro Circle-1 for nearly two decades. He reportedly started his career there as an accounts clerk and is now serving as an Assistant Revenue Officer. His responsibilities include handling various important services, including new and old driving licences, vehicle ownership transfers and route permits. His prolonged tenure at the same circle has raised questions over the possibility of undue influence and irregularities.
There are also allegations that during the previous Awami League government, Ruhul Amin used to exert influence by introducing himself as a relative of former minister Shajahan Khan and Awami League leader Nixon Chowdhury. However, the authenticity of these claims and his alleged use of such political connections could not be independently verified.
Further allegations have emerged regarding Ruhul Amin’s alleged close association with Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid Rubel, described by complainants as one of the key figures in the broker syndicate operating around the BRTA. According to the allegations, with Ruhul Amin’s assistance, Rubel collected money from clients for various services, including vehicle ownership transfers, fitness certificates, tax tokens and vehicle registration.
It has also been alleged that Rubel has accumulated substantial wealth through these activities and owns, either directly or through undisclosed arrangements, flats and vehicles in Dhaka worth several crores of taka. However, the ownership of these assets and the sources of the alleged wealth could not be independently verified.
According to information gathered during the investigation, Rubel has rented a shop called ‘Shahrashti Business Centre’ near the Mirpur BRTA office. Allegations suggest that various financial transactions are conducted there through online banking and other channels, while a section of the broker syndicate regularly operates from the location.
Although the presence of brokers inside the BRTA premises has reportedly declined following intensified anti-broker drives by the authority, allegations suggest that many brokers now operate from in front of the said shop.
Complainants allege that brokers from different parts of Dhaka submit various assignments to Rubel because of the shop’s proximity to the BRTA office. The assignments are allegedly delivered to the concerned officials through his personal assistant, Abdul Kader. Once the work is completed, the documents are reportedly returned to Rubel through the same channel.
A BRTA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there is a perception among brokers that even complicated or sensitive matters that officials at other circles tend to avoid can be resolved through Ruhul Amin. According to the official, Ruhul Amin appears to have a kind of ‘special authority’ in handling such matters.
The allegations have also raised questions about how certain officials manage to remain at the same workplace for such extended periods and whether allegations against them are being properly investigated. There are claims that, under successive governments, influential officials and employees have continued to enjoy advantages by remaining at the same BRTA circle for years.
In addition, allegations have surfaced regarding Ruhul Amin’s alleged involvement in irregularities related to the replacement of CNG-run vehicles between 2001 and 2007. It has been alleged that several BRTA officials and members of vehicle owners’ associations were involved in the misappropriation of crores of taka during that period, with Ruhul Amin allegedly assisting them. However, this investigation could not independently verify any final finding, investigation report or legal action against him in connection with those allegations.
Repeated attempts were made to contact Ruhul Amin by phone to obtain his comments regarding the allegations. However, he did not respond to the calls. His comments will be incorporated into the report if and when they become available.
The allegations surrounding Ruhul Amin’s prolonged tenure at the same workplace, his alleged links with the broker syndicate and the various complaints raised against him in the past have prompted calls for an effective investigation and greater accountability by the BRTA authorities.