A stenotypist-cum-computer operator at the headquarters of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) has been accused of certificate forgery, manipulation of job titles, and alleged involvement in irregularities related to transfers and promotions, as well as accumulating substantial assets through bribery and corruption.
Md. Abdul Mannan, a stenotypist-cum-computer operator in the Administration Wing of LGED headquarters, has reportedly been working in the same wing for nearly 17 years. A written complaint submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) alleges that his prolonged tenure in the administration section enabled him to establish an influential network and exert undue influence over transfers, postings and promotions of officials and employees.
The complaint further alleges that Abdul Mannan and his wife, Morzina Khatun, own substantial assets, including a six-storey building in North Azampur, land in several locations, a factory and residential properties. Morzina Khatun has reportedly been described as a homemaker, raising questions in the complaint about the sources of funds used to acquire the assets registered in her name.
The allegations are based on a written complaint filed with the ACC by a person identified as Golam Mowla, who called for an investigation into Abdul Mannan's alleged corruption, unexplained wealth and administrative irregularities. The allegations and related documents were reportedly reviewed in connection with the complaint.
Nearly 17 Years in the Same Administrative Wing
According to information cited in the complaint, Abdul Mannan was posted to the Administration Wing of LGED headquarters on July 21, 2009, during the tenure of then-Chief Engineer Md. Wahidur Rahman. He has reportedly remained in the same wing ever since.
The complainant alleges that Abdul Mannan used his long tenure in the headquarters to influence the transfer, promotion and posting of officials at district and upazila levels.
The complaint also alleges that files were sometimes held up or official notes were not provided despite written instructions from higher authorities when the alleged demands for money were not met.
Several LGED officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that a person remaining in an important administrative section for an unusually long period could naturally acquire considerable influence. They said there had been discussions among officials about Abdul Mannan's alleged influence over administrative matters, although they stressed that the allegations should be established through an impartial investigation.
Allegations of Certificate Forgery and Change of Position
The complaint also raises questions about Abdul Mannan's educational qualifications and his transition from one position to another during his government service.
According to the complaint, Abdul Mannan joined LGED as a Work Assistant at Ruma Upazila in Bandarban on December 27, 1989. It is alleged that he later submitted educational and computer-related certificates and subsequently changed his position to Stenotypist-cum-Computer Operator through fraudulent means.
The complainant claims that a bachelor's degree was required for appointment to the stenotypist position, while Abdul Mannan's National Identity Card reportedly lists his educational qualification as Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC).
The complaint has therefore called for verification of his educational and computer certificates and an examination of whether there was any lawful provision allowing his position to be changed from Work Assistant to Stenotypist-cum-Computer Operator.
It is further alleged that, as a result of obtaining a higher pay scale through the purported certificate irregularities, Abdul Mannan received approximately Tk 35 lakh in excess payments from the government over the past 25 years.
These allegations have not been independently verified.
Allegations of Financial Transactions in Transfers and Promotions
The ACC complaint contains allegations of financial transactions in connection with transfers, postings and promotions of LGED officials.
According to the complaint, approximately 225 executive engineers were recently promoted, with each allegedly being required to pay Tk 5 lakh. It further alleges that 137 sub-assistant engineers were promoted to assistant engineers in exchange for Tk 3 lakh each.
The complaint also alleges that Tk 2 lakh was collected from each of 290 upazila engineers in connection with transfers or postings, while 195 sub-assistant engineers allegedly paid Tk 1 lakh each for transfers.
Based on these figures, the complainant has alleged that a substantial amount of money was transacted in connection with promotions, transfers and postings.
However, the allegations and the amounts mentioned in the complaint could not be independently verified.
Allegations of a Six-Storey Building, Land and a Factory
The complaint also alleges that Abdul Mannan and his wife possess substantial properties in their own names or through undisclosed ownership arrangements.
According to the complaint, a six-storey building is located at Holding No. 33 on Dewan Bari Road in North Azampur under Dakshinkhan Police Station in Dhaka. The complainant has called for an investigation into the ownership of the property and the sources of funds used to construct it.
The complaint further alleges that there is a five-katha vacant plot on Dewan Bari Road and another five-katha plot in Rajashan, Savar.
It also claims that Abdul Mannan's wife owns a six-storey building and approximately 40 bighas of land in Sirajganj.
In addition, the complaint alleges that a factory registered in his wife's name stands on approximately 20 kathas of land in Chandura, Gazipur, while a tin-shed house along with around 10 kathas of land is allegedly located in Ashulia, Savar.
The complainant has requested that the sources of funds behind these properties be investigated and that any additional assets be identified through a comprehensive inquiry.
Questions Over Assets Registered in Wife's Name
The complaint also raises questions about the assets and tax records of Abdul Mannan's wife, Morzina Khatun.
She is described in the complaint as a homemaker, yet it alleges that she owns houses, vehicles, plots, flats, land and substantial amounts of money in bank accounts.
The complaint states that she has a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and has regularly paid income tax. However, the complainant has questioned the source of the funds used to acquire the alleged assets, given that she reportedly has no visible independent source of income.
The complaint has called for scrutiny of her tax returns, bank transactions, property records and other financial documents to determine the sources of the assets.
Alleged Use of Family Members in Financial Transactions
The complaint further alleges that Abdul Mannan arranged for one of his brothers to operate a bKash shop on the ground floor of the six-storey building in Azampur, allegedly to facilitate transactions involving money obtained through bribery and extortion.
It also alleges that another younger brother was given a job as an electrician under an outsourcing arrangement by allegedly using forged certificates.
These allegations have not been independently substantiated.
Allegations of an Expensive Lifestyle
The complaint also refers to what it describes as Abdul Mannan's family's expensive lifestyle.
It alleges that his son and daughter studied at private universities, including BRAC University and Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB). It further claims that approximately Tk 30 lakh was spent on his son's wedding at a community centre in Uttara.
The complaint also refers to the alleged use of private cars and expensive mobile phones by family members.
These claims have not been independently verified.
Officials Call for an Impartial Investigation
Several LGED officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that keeping the same employee in an important administrative section for many years could create opportunities for undue influence over transfers, postings and promotions.
One official said that when an employee remains in the same key section for years, there is a risk that an informal network may develop around the person. The official said that whether the allegations against Abdul Mannan are true should be determined through a proper investigation.
Another official said that employees should not have personal influence over administrative processes such as transfers and promotions and that specific allegations should be examined through an impartial inquiry.
Abdul Mannan's Response
Attempts were made to obtain Abdul Mannan's response to the allegations. However, his comments could not be obtained.
He was reportedly contacted several times by phone but did not answer the calls.
Call for Investigation
The complainants have called for verification of Abdul Mannan's educational and computer-related certificates, scrutiny of his unusually long tenure in the same workplace, investigation into the sources of assets allegedly held by him and his family members, and a probe into the allegations of financial transactions related to transfers, postings and promotions.
They have also demanded that, if any wrongdoing is established through an impartial investigation, those responsible be dealt with in accordance with the law.
It should be noted that the allegations described in this report are based primarily on a complaint submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission and have not been independently verified. Any allegation of criminal or financial wrongdoing should therefore be treated as an allegation unless and until established by competent authorities or a court of law.