An engineer of the Khagrachhari Hill District Council has been accused of laundering money abroad under the guise of educational leave, taking commissions from deep-tubewell installations and development projects, and accumulating substantial assets beyond his known sources of income.
According to allegations and information gathered during an inquiry, the official allegedly misused his position and was involved in financial irregularities in several upazilas, raising questions about the sources of his wealth and overseas financial activities.
While serving at the Chattogram District Council, the official reportedly obtained approval for educational leave and travelled to Australia. A concerned official claimed that during this period, he did not attend any recognised educational institution or educational seminar in Australia and instead stayed at the residence of a close relative.
There are allegations that the educational leave was used as a cover to transfer a significant portion of money allegedly earned through illegal means in Bangladesh to Australia through hundi and other informal channels. However, no independently verified documents or official findings confirming the alleged money laundering have been made available.
The official has also been accused of using allocations made by members of parliament during the previous Awami League government to approve a series of projects for installing deep tubewells in Chattogram and surrounding upazilas.
According to the allegations, he allegedly collected Tk 50,000 to Tk 60,000 in cash from each project when bills were processed through the district council's accounts section. It is further alleged that he accumulated approximately Tk 5 million to Tk 6 million from more than 100 deep-tubewell and other local development projects.
There is also an allegation that a poetry book about Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was published with financial support from a contractor. No documentary evidence or statement from the alleged contractor was available to independently verify this claim.
The official has further been accused of irregularities in government revenue and infrastructure development works while serving as an executive or sub-assistant engineer in Bandarban and Naikhyangchhari. According to the allegations, he allegedly acquired at least 10 acres of hilly land in remote areas of Bandarban in the names of relatives and associates to conceal assets and disguise the sources of allegedly illicit funds.
Additional allegations have been raised regarding development projects in the Chattogram upazilas of Anwara, Banshkhali and Patiya. Contractors allegedly had to pay substantial “commissions” or “PC” payments to have their final bills processed. According to the allegations, project files were allegedly held up unless a predetermined percentage was paid, resulting in the collection of several crores of taka.
Questions have also been raised over the official's reported property holdings in Chattogram city. He has allegedly purchased a portion of a multi-storey building and a luxury apartment in the busy Hemsan Lane area. Another apartment is reportedly located in the Bayezid Bostami area in his name.
The alleged properties have raised questions about the sources of funding, particularly in comparison with the official's known government salary and allowances.
Attempts were made to contact the accused official for his response to the allegations, but he did not answer phone calls. His comments could therefore not be obtained.
Meanwhile, sources familiar with the matter reportedly said that the allegations are being subjected to preliminary verification by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and relevant senior authorities. However, it has not been independently confirmed whether a formal investigation has officially commenced.
The allegations, including those relating to money laundering, unlawful enrichment, project commissions and property ownership, would require verification through official records, property documents, project files, payment vouchers, financial transactions and other relevant evidence before any conclusion can be reached.