An allegation has surfaced against a man named Shamsher Ali over the occupation of approximately 4.27 acres of land acquired by the National Housing Authority (NHA) in Mirpur, Dhaka, where residential plots, markets and multistorey buildings have been developed. Although the NHA's records reportedly contain no information on the allotment, lease or transfer of possession of the land in question, residential and commercial structures have been built there. A portion of the land was allegedly divided into plots and sold to different individuals.

According to official estimates cited by relevant sources, the land is worth Tk 2.15 billion to Tk 3 billion, while its current market value could range from Tk 4 billion to Tk 6.5 billion.

Located in Shah Ali Nagar, also known as Shamsher Nagar, in Mirpur-1, the land was reserved for low-income housing under the Dhaka Urban Infrastructure Improvement Project (DUIP). The project included plans for 194 residential plots. Allegations suggest that forged documents were used to occupy and sell the land with the assistance of some dishonest NHA officials and employees. However, the allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial determination.

202 Acres Acquired for Housing Development
According to documents, a total of 202.43 acres of land was acquired in Bishil Mouza under LA Case No. 13/59-60, JL No. 224, in Mirpur. The land was published in the Bangladesh Gazette in the name of the then Directorate of Housing on December 13, 1998.

An earlier master plan for the area was prepared on September 12, 1993. It earmarked land for residential, commercial, industrial and institutional plots, as well as playgrounds, schools, mosques, madrasas and other facilities.

NHA records indicate that 194 residential plots were designated for the DUIP project under Mirpur Housing Division-2. Each plot measures 40 square metres. However, no records have been found showing that the plots were allotted to any individuals. The possession register also contains no record of the transfer of possession. According to the relevant documents, the authority has no record of executed lease deeds for the plots and associated land.

Allegations of a Fake Lease Deed
According to people familiar with the matter, Shamsher Ali regularly visited the housing office while introducing himself as an NHA official. He allegedly began sitting in the office and handling, moving and maintaining documents. Subsequently, he allegedly prepared land documents in collusion with some dishonest officials and employees before selling the land in the form of plots.

He was also accused of providing plots to influential political figures at nominal prices to maintain relationships with them and secure their influence.

Documents show that a lease deed numbered 2117 was executed on April 20, 2000, in the name of Shamsher Ali, proprietor of Shah Ali Nagar Housing Estate, Mirpur-1. The deed claims 4.2666 acres of land across four plots or land parcels. The Assistant Commissioner (Settlement), under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, was named as the lessor.

However, according to records from the relevant office, a search of the NHA headquarters' record room found no documentation confirming that the land had been leased to Shamsher Ali.

Buildings, Markets and Settlements on the Land
A field visit found residential buildings, markets, shops, factories and rickshaw garages on the disputed land. Mosques and schools have also been established in parts of the area. Several structures have electricity, water and gas connections.

Some people claiming ownership of the land live there, while others operate businesses. Signboards claiming that plots were allotted in the name of different associations have also been put up.

NHA officials say the legality of the structures and the ownership claims need to be verified. Documents from the relevant department indicate that proposals were sent to the authority's headquarters for the appointment of magistrates and the initiation of eviction operations against alleged illegal occupants.

Civil Litigation over Land Ownership
Abdul Matin of Shah Ali Nagar Housing Estate has filed a civil lawsuit against the NHA over ownership of the disputed land, representing 61 individuals.

According to the plaint, the claimants possessed land in different plots of Bishil Mouza through inheritance, powers of attorney, leases, mutation and payment of land revenue. They further claim that housing plots, roads and other infrastructure were developed on the land and subsequently sold. The plaintiffs maintain that deeds of conveyance were executed in the names of many buyers.

The NHA, however, has questioned the validity of the relevant documents, citing the absence of allotment and lease records in its files. A civil case challenging the authority's position was filed in 2017, and a writ petition was subsequently submitted to the High Court seeking a halt to eviction proceedings. The dispute over ownership and possession remains unresolved.

ACC Case and Allegations against Former Employee
A case filed with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is also pending in connection with the alleged occupation and sale of government-acquired land and the misappropriation of money.

According to officials, Case No. 7 was filed at Darus Salam Police Station on February 2, 2016, and remains ongoing. Allegations have also been raised against Nuruzzaman, a former NHA employee, for allegedly assisting Shamsher Ali. The allegations against all concerned parties remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.

Daughter's Statement and NHA's Position
Following Shamsher Ali's death, his daughter, Shamsher Ara Sathi, has been looking after matters related to the land.

Responding to the allegations, she said her father had sold the land to various individuals but that no land had been allotted in the name of their family. She also said she was unaware of the relevant land documents and that her father had not handed over any paperwork to the family before his death.

NHA Chairman Ferdousi Begum said legal action would be taken against anyone occupying land listed in the official gazette as government property. She added that the authority would take the necessary steps under the law to recover the land.

She confirmed that 194 residential plots had been planned for low-income people under the DUIP project.

Questions remain over how the land was mutated, transferred through deeds of conveyance and sold despite the absence of allotment and lease records in the NHA's files. Recovering land reserved for the public housing project and resolving the ownership claims of the alleged purchasers will require effective legal and administrative action.