Chattogram: In a controversial incident at the Sitakunda Sub-Registry Office in Chattogram, 65 sale deeds involving land registered in the name of alleged criminal Yasin of Jangal Salimpur were reportedly registered in a single day, shortly before the sub-registrar was due to take up a new posting.The incident has raised serious questions about compliance with land registration procedures, the verification of ownership documents and possible financial irregularities.
Yasin, described as a notorious criminal from Jangal Salimpur and listed as a most-wanted fugitive by law enforcement agencies, reportedly owned a substantial amount of land in the area. Allegations have emerged that the rapid transfer of these properties may have involved a large-scale bribery arrangement.
According to concerned sources, Sitakunda Sub-Registrar Raihan Habib has been accused of receiving Tk 2 crore in bribes in connection with registering the 65 sale deeds in a single day.
The properties are reportedly worth hundreds of crores of taka, and the alleged irregularities have triggered concern among senior officials in the administration.
The incident has drawn particular attention because Yasin is an accused in a case involving the killing of a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) officer and is reportedly on the police most-wanted list. Questions have also arisen over whether the properties were transferred after proper verification and whether the registration process involved any irregularities or financial transactions.
Following the disclosure, the Ministry of Law, the Chattogram district administration and district police have initiated inquiries into the matter.
On Wednesday afternoon, Chattogram Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia verbally lodged a complaint with the Ministry of Law, seeking an investigation and appropriate action against Habib.
Following the complaint, the ministry suspended the sub-registrar's transfer order for seven days.
Meanwhile, Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Fakhrul Islam has questioned Habib about the incident.
65 deeds registered in a single day before transfer
Sources at the Sitakunda Sub-Registry Office said Sub-Registrar Raihan Habib was transferred to Bhuapur in Tangail on Monday. He was scheduled to join his new workplace by Thursday.
However, on Wednesday, a day before the scheduled joining date, he registered 65 sale deeds involving properties reportedly owned by Yasin.
The registration of such a large number of deeds in a single day has triggered widespread discussion and criticism.
The incident has also raised questions about whether the necessary administrative procedures and due diligence were followed after the transfer order was issued.
Despite the controversy surrounding the properties, Habib proceeded with the registration of the 65 sale deeds linked to Yasin, who is alleged to head the notorious Yasin gang in Jangal Salimpur.
Office sources have claimed that substantial financial transactions may have taken place behind the registrations. Allegations of a bribe amounting to approximately Tk 2 crore have also surfaced, although the claims have yet to be independently established.
How did Yasin acquire so much land?
According to information from the district administration, Jangal Salimpur contains approximately 3,100 acres of government-owned khas land. For years, the area has reportedly been controlled by various land grabbers and criminal groups.
Alinagar, a part of Jangal Salimpur, had long been under the control of Yasin and his associates, who have been accused of various criminal activities. Following law enforcement operations in the area, Yasin and several of his associates reportedly went into hiding.
Yasin has long faced allegations of occupying government land and using various tactics to establish ownership over such properties.
According to information from the Sitakunda Sub-Registry Office, a substantial portion of government-owned khas land in Jangal Salimpur was allegedly recorded in Yasin's name through Bangladesh Survey (BS) records.
Attempts had reportedly been underway for the past three months to sell these properties to different buyers.
Under the prevailing land registration procedures, the original deed executant or seller is generally required to appear in person at the sub-registry office to complete the registration process.
This has raised a key question: Did Yasin, who is reportedly a fugitive wanted by police and other law enforcement agencies, personally appear at the office to complete the transactions, or were the deeds registered through forged documents or other fraudulent means in his absence?
Sources at the sub-registry office and the district administration said the necessary documents for registering the 65 sale deeds in Yasin's name were submitted by Nazim Uddin, a former general secretary of the Chattogram District Bar Association.
Subsequently, Sub-Registrar Raihan Habib issued the registration documents transferring the properties to various individuals.
Attempts were made to speak with Habib at the Sitakunda Sub-Registry Office on Thursday morning, but he was unavailable. Repeated attempts to contact him by phone were also unsuccessful.
However, Siraj Uddin, an assistant at the sub-registry office, told the media that the deeds had been registered in accordance with the rules.
He claimed that the relevant documents showed updated mutation records and land tax payments and that there was no specific government restriction on the properties.
Nevertheless, analysts have questioned how land reportedly worth hundreds of crores of taka and allegedly owned by a fugitive criminal could be transferred so quickly under such circumstances, particularly just before the sub-registrar's transfer.
Copies of the registered deeds have reportedly been sent to the Ministry of Law, the Deputy Commissioner's Office and the Chattogram Superintendent of Police's Office for detailed scrutiny.
Additional District Magistrate Syed Mahbubul Haque told the media that the investigation committee was examining several aspects of the transactions, including the actual extent of the transferred properties, the identities of the buyers, whether any government interests were involved and whether the seller had personally appeared during the registration process.
Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Zahidul Islam Mia said the matter was brought to the ministry's attention immediately after it came to light. He also sought an investigation and punitive action against those found responsible.
Earlier, the DC told the media that Sitakunda UNO had summoned Habib for questioning.
According to the DC, Habib said Yasin had not personally appeared before him. He also reportedly stated that the deeds had been registered because the relevant documents were submitted to his office and the registration was carried out in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations.
Jangal Salimpur's long history of violence
A closer look at the area reveals that Jangal Salimpur in Sitakunda has long been regarded as a stronghold of criminal activities. Yasin and Rukon Member's gang have reportedly been among the most feared groups operating there.
On January 19, a RAB team came under attack while conducting an operation to arrest accused individuals in Sitakunda. In the violent assault, Naik Subedar Motaleb Hossain Bhuiyan, an assistant director of RAB-7, was killed.
More recently, late on May 24, between 200 and 300 alleged criminals reportedly dug up roads and attacked and vandalised a camp under construction for RAB and joint forces.
An exchange of gunfire between RAB personnel and the attackers continued throughout the night. According to the administration, 104 rounds of ammunition were fired during the incident.
Following the attack, Sitakunda Police Station filed a case against more than 300 individuals, naming Yasin as the prime accused. However, he has yet to be arrested.
The alleged irregularities surrounding the registration of the 65 deeds have now raised broader concerns about accountability, corruption and the abuse of official authority within the land administration.
Concerned citizens have called for a fair and impartial investigation and exemplary punishment for anyone found involved in bribery, forgery or other irregularities.