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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is poised to initiate an investigation into the assets of several allegedly corrupt officers and employees affiliated with the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK).
Sources within the ACC indicate that this operation is slated to commence as early as next week, spurred by specific complaints lodged against these individuals.
Reliable sources have revealed that a majority of the complaints received by the ACC pertain to officers and employees associated with RAJUK, the Public Works Department (PWD), and the National Housing Authority (NHA).
Allegations have been placed against personnel ranging from peons to high-ranking officials across these institutions – thereby prompting heightened scrutiny from the ACC.
An ACC director, who did not wish to be named, told The Daily Messenger that almost all of the RAJUK officials who have been investigated have illegal assets worth crores of takas. “None of those found to have illegal assets can afford to buy a flat even after working for a lifetime with legitimate income. They have become millionaires by acquiring wealth illegally.”
This correspondent repeatedly tried to reach RAJUK Chairman Anisur Rahman Miah for his comment(s) on this burning issue, but all those attempts proved to be futile as there was no response from the other side.
Following the tragic loss of 46 lives in a devastating fire at a multi-storey building on Bailey Road, the spotlight has shifted towards allegations of bribery and corruption within RAJUK. Various quarters have raised concerns, suggesting that such a catastrophic incident could have been prevented if RAJUK's building inspectors had diligently carried out their responsibilities.
There are accusations circulating that building inspectors in the relevant areas have been complicit in allowing constructions that violate regulations in exchange for illicit payments or underhand dealings.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a senior officer of the ACC revealed to The Daily Messenger that cases have been filed against approximately 50 officers and employees at different levels within the RAJUK for allegedly amassing illicit wealth.
Chargesheets have been formally issued against many of these individuals in court, with even the former chairman of RAJUK facing charges. Following due legal proceedings, numerous individuals have been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment along with fines upon conclusion of their trials.
According to sources within the ACC, the commission’s enforcement team conducted raids on two distinct under-construction buildings in Uttara just a week ago. It was discovered that the construction of these houses was being carried out illegally and irregularly, allegedly facilitated by the manipulation of local officials and employees of RAJUK.
Subsequently, members of the ACC enforcement team have compiled a report detailing evidence of illegal and irregular construction, which has been forwarded to the authorities at RAJUK for further action.
Meanwhile, the ACC has launched an investigation into the illegal acquisition of 27 officers and employees of RAJUK in the wake of two separate Suo-moto (self-motivated) rulings by the High Court.
In one of these searches, 16 people were already under investigation by the ACC. Besides, the fact of acquisition of illegal wealth has been found against the remaining 11 officials and employees.
It is said that a report will be submitted to the commission soon recommending the filing of a case against them. Apart from this, the second round of investigation is ongoing against 12 other officials and employees of the allegations of acquiring illegal wealth.
ACC Deputy Director Yasir Arafat said a report will be submitted to the commission along with the recommendation to file a case against those who have been found to have acquired illegal assets. Further legal action will be taken as per the decision of the commission.
Among those under investigation are: RAJUK accountant AKM Bayezid Khan, data entry operator Abdul Momin, designer Emdad Ali, building inspector Moniruzzaman, surveyor Masum Billah, supervisor Khaled Mosharraf Talukder, office assistant cum computer operator Yusuf Mia, Belal Hossain Chowdhury. Ripon, senior assistant Mohammad Hasan, designer Sheikh Farid and record keeper Feroze. Apart from this, separate investigations are underway against lineman Mohammad Shafiullah Babu and personal assistant Zafar Sadek.
It is reported that the ACC has found a six-storey house in a three kathas’ plot on road number 16 of sector 11 of Uttara belonging to accountant Bayezid Khan. He is also the owner of two plots-- 20 and 22 of road number 12 of the same sector. He is constructing a 9-storey house on two plots.
Data entry operator Abdul Momin owns a house on five katha of land. The current market value of this house in Plot No. 7, Ward No. 71, Dakshin Mandar is around Tk 10 crore. Apart from this, ACC has also found two flats of him at 10, Kabi Jasim Uddin Road, Motijheel. Apart from the tinshed house in Savar, he has a plot in Purbachal in the name of his wife.
A five-storied house in Badda and two plots in Demra were found in Nakshakar’s Emdad. ACC has found a flat and a premium car in the Amtala tower of South Pirerbagh belonging to building inspector Moniruzzaman.
Surveyor Masum Billah owns a seven-storey house in Plot No. 24, Road No. 6, Sector No. 11, Uttara. Supervisor Khaled Musharraf Talukdar Rubel built a seven storied house in Bogura. Besides, he bought a flat in Dhaka’s Mothertek.
Office assistant cum computer operator Yusuf Mia’s house was found in Chattogram. Apart from the three-storey house, the ACC also found two cow farms in the village.
ACC found a flat in Shantinagar belonging to office assistant cum computer operator Belal Hossain Chowdhury, a six-storey house in Badda belonging to senior assistant Mohammad Hasan and a plot in Aftabnagar, a six-storey house in Sector 12 of Uttara Model Town belonging to record keeper Feroze.
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