Photo : Messenger
For 19 years, Khandakar Anwar Hossain has been employed at Western Railway being employed through fraudulent means. His appointment by the Western Railway Authority in 2004 lacks any accompanying job notification. Anwar, who secured his position through deceitful means, currently holds a position in the Chief Engineer's office. Over the past 18 years, Anwar has amassed significant wealth, with allegations linking him to financial improprieties. An intelligence agency, in its investigation into irregularities and corruption within Western Railway, has unearthed this sensational information.
The Chief Engineer of Western Railway, Asadul Haque, told the Daily Messenger, "I am unaware of the circumstances surrounding their appointments during that period. Anwar Hossain is currently employed in my office. If there are any allegations of malpractice against him, a thorough investigation will be conducted. Appropriate action will be taken by the authorities if he is found guilty in the inquiry."
Sources indicate that in 2004, no official recruitment circular for the MLSS position was issued. However, it is alleged that Sheikh Kamal Khandakar, the senior welfare officer, facilitated Anwar Hossain's employment in exchange for a substantial sum of money.
As per intelligence agency findings, Anwar Hossain acquired the MLSS application form from Rajshahi Railway Station on September 7, 2004, for Tk 50. He submitted the application on September 9, 2004. Remarkably, two days post-application submission, on September 11, 2004, a bank draft, a signed character certificate dated September 10, 2004, and a signed citizen certificate dated September 12, 2004, were either submitted, or these certificates were obtained subsequent to the application.
According to sources from the Chief Personnel Office of Railway West, attaching any documents to the application after its submission date is deemed impossible. Any such attempt is considered fraudulent.
Adding to the suspicion, Anwar Hossain's offer letter (recruitment letter) indicates his appointment within a mere three months of submitting the application, further highlighting the apparent irregularities and potential fraud surrounding the entire process.
Railway officials have disclosed that after the submission of application forms for railway recruitment, a meticulous process is followed. Initially, applications from 64 districts are segregated, and subsequently, both the application and attached documents undergo thorough verification. The stages include the entry of applications, issuance of selection test cards, distribution of cards, and the publication of results. The final recruitment process encompasses passing a medical examination and undergoing police verification. Historically, this comprehensive procedure takes more than 8 to 12 months to complete.
However, the case of Anwar Hossain presents a stark deviation from this norm. Despite applying on September 9, 2004, he received an appointment letter on December 19, 2004, and remarkably joined the position on January 10, 2005—a significantly expedited timeline compared to the usual duration of the recruitment process.
According to intelligence officials, there was no MLSS circular in 2004, indicating that the entire recruitment process of Anwar Hossain is fraudulent. The appointment itself is deemed fraudulent. Despite this, Anwar Hossain is currently employed in the Chief Engineer's office, wielding significant influence and control over the office's operations. His involvement in various irregularities is evident, as no file moves without the exchange of commissions.
Furthermore, it has been revealed that he has a clandestine hand in several railway tenders, leveraging his position for personal gain. This illicit involvement has enabled Anwar to amass considerable wealth, even from a seemingly modest MLSS position. His financial gains have facilitated the construction of houses and the acquisition of significant assets, including cars.
Chief Engineer Asadul Haque is reportedly closely associated with Anwar Hossain, often accompanying him as a shadow companion, earning him the nickname "Big Babu" from many.
When questioned about these allegations, Anwar Hossain maintained that his appointment followed the proper procedures. Additionally, he refuted the accusations of amassing substantial wealth, denying any wrongdoing in relation to his financial status.
Messenger/Disha
