The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has approved the filing of a case against eight people, including Mohammad Fahim Ahmed, owner of Agrabad Convention Hall, and Mohammad Shah-Alam Faruk Chowdhury, an executive engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD), over allegations of illegally occupying government land and embezzling Tk 236,839,268 in unpaid rent and related dues.The allegations include abuse of power, document forgery, illegal occupation of government property and misappropriation of public funds.
The information was disclosed by ACC sources on Sunday, October 4. According to the commission's decision, the accused will face charges under Sections 409, 420, 467, 468, 471 and 109 of the Penal Code, alongside Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.
Alleged Illegal Occupation of Government Land
According to the ACC's allegations, the accused acted in collusion, abusing their entrusted authority to secure financial benefits for themselves and others. They allegedly used forged and fabricated documents to facilitate the illegal occupation of 24.96 decimals of government land in the Agrabad commercial area of Chattogram.
The commission further alleges that the accused failed to pay outstanding rent for the government property and, through forgery and criminal breach of trust, misappropriated a total of Tk 236,839,268.
Following an investigation into the alleged irregularities involving government land and unpaid rent, the ACC approved the filing of a case against the eight individuals.
Shah-Alam Faruk Previously Oversaw Key Government Installations
Mohammad Shah-Alam Faruk Chowdhury previously served as executive engineer of PWD's Dhaka Division-2 for five consecutive years. During his tenure, he was responsible for key government installations, including Ganabhaban and the Prime Minister's Office.
His previous responsibilities and the allegations involving government property have drawn particular attention to the case.
Several engineers of the Public Works Department have reportedly said that Shah-Alam Faruk Chowdhury has been absent from his workplace for more than a year without proper authorization. According to sources described as reliable, he has already moved to Canada.
However, his reported absence and whereabouts require confirmation from the relevant authorities.
The allegations against a government engineer involving public land management, document forgery and the alleged misappropriation of a substantial sum have raised questions about the oversight and management of government property. The case also highlights concerns regarding the preservation of official land records and the collection of outstanding rent owed to the government.
Legal Provisions Under Which the Case Will Be Filed
Under the ACC's decision, the accused will face charges under Section 409 of the Penal Code, relating to criminal breach of trust by a public servant or other specified person; Section 420, concerning cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property; Sections 467 and 468, relating to forgery; Section 471, concerning the use of forged documents as genuine; and Section 109, concerning abetment of an offence.
Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, will also be invoked in the case.
The ACC's approval to file the case does not mean that the accused have been found guilty. Their liability will be determined through the legal process, based on the evidence, relevant documents and findings of the investigation.
The next steps by the anti-graft watchdog are expected to be closely watched amid the serious allegations involving government land and public revenue. If the allegations are substantiated through the legal process, appropriate action may be taken against those responsible in accordance with the law.
The accused persons' responses to the allegations and official comments from the relevant authorities were not included in the information available for this report. Such responses should be incorporated when obtained to ensure a balanced account of the case.