Mohammad Atikul Islam, Project Director (PD) at the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), has faced a number of allegations involving corruption, irregularities, political influence and inappropriate personal relationships. According to the complainants, while serving as Executive Engineer in Barishal, he allegedly engaged in financial irregularities in collusion with contractors. He is currently holding a key position at LGED headquarters.
Several sources alleged that during his tenure in Barishal, Atikul Islam maintained close connections with politically influential individuals and used those relationships to exert influence. He has also been accused of colluding with contractors to prepare bills and vouchers and withdraw payments despite work allegedly remaining incomplete. However, these allegations could not be independently verified.
Several LGED officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that an influential contractor syndicate had been established under Atikul Islam during his tenure in Barishal. They claimed that the syndicate was used to influence development projects and control activities related to project payments and bills. According to them, although the allegations were discussed in the media and on social media at various times, no effective investigation or visible action was taken.
At present, Atikul Islam is serving as the Project Director of the RIVER (Resilient Infrastructure for Adaptation and Vulnerability Reduction) project at LGED headquarters. Some officials have questioned his appointment to the important project, alleging that he was given the responsibility despite facing previous allegations of irregularities. The allegations have reportedly created concern and discontent among some LGED officials and employees.
Officials also claimed that during his tenure in Barishal, Atikul maintained close contacts with several politically influential figures, local representatives and individuals associated with the then ruling administration. They alleged that such political connections helped him secure administrative advantages. The political figures concerned could not be reached for comment.
Atikul Islam has also faced allegations of accumulating substantial assets through illicit means. According to the complainants, his wealth increased significantly during his long government career. Some officials have further alleged that members of his family own assets both in Bangladesh and abroad. However, no specific documentary evidence establishing ownership or the sources of such assets was available to this reporter.
He has also faced allegations concerning his personal relationships. According to sources, Atikul Islam allegedly became involved in an inappropriate relationship with the wife of one of his friends, who is an Executive Engineer in Narsingdi. The woman has reportedly been living in Thailand for an extended period, and sources claimed that Atikul travelled to Thailand on several occasions and maintained contact with her family there. However, no independent evidence supporting these allegations was found, and the individuals concerned could not be reached for comment.
There are also allegations that Atikul Islam regularly spent time with various women at upscale hotels in Dhaka. These claims likewise could not be independently verified, and no documentary evidence was available.
Meanwhile, sources said that Atikul Islam’s wife and children currently live in the United States. However, no reliable documents were found to substantiate claims that they own assets abroad.
Several LGED officials have called for an impartial investigation into the allegations against Atikul Islam. They said particular attention should be given to his appointment and postings, financial transactions during his tenure on various projects, alleged collusion with contractors, and the sources of assets held by him and his family members in Bangladesh and abroad.
Attempts were made to obtain comments from Mohammad Atikul Islam regarding the allegations, but he could not be reached. Therefore, the allegations against him could not be independently established or dismissed. The officials said that if the allegations are substantiated, those responsible should face legal action; if the allegations are found to be baseless, appropriate action should also be taken against those responsible for making them.