Corruption allegations rife at Bangladesh Scouts

A scandalous situation has been shaking Bangladesh Scouts, a national level organisation deeply committed to instilling morality, discipline, and education in the nation's youths, in recent times thanks to widespread charges of corruption and irregularity involving its leadership that threatens to tarnish its very foundations.

The allegations of rampant financial misconducts and corruptions have surfaced implicating none other than the National Commissioner of the Bangladesh Scouts Kazi Nazmul Haque.

These allegations, supported by substantial evidences presented to a probe committee, have cast a long shadow over the organisation's integrity, yet Nazmul clings to his position, raising questions about accountability and the pursuit of justice.

Under Nazmul's leadership, the organisation has been rocked by accusations involving two individuals sent abroad to represent Bangladesh at the 24th World Scout Jamboree in Portugal. Shockingly, there were no complaints or concerns raised about their behavior during their participation in the Jamboree between August 1 and 7, 2022.

The allegations against Nazmul Haque are grave and multifaceted. It is alleged that he illicitly collected additional funds from individuals participating in the Portugal Jamboree, embezzling significant sums from the organization in the process. 

What is more, without the proper approval of the Bangladesh Scouts' Selection Committee, Nazmul provided an opportunity for unit leader Mariamunechha to participate in the Portuguese Jamboree. According to Nazmul's statement to the investigation committee, Mariamunechha had gone missing during her previous international event in Germany, raising questions about the decision to send her abroad again. A similar situation unfolded with scout member Tarikul Islam, who disappeared on his way back after visiting the Eiffel Tower. The selection committee's decision to send these individuals abroad appears questionable, given their prior history of unexplained absences during international assignments.

Curiously, neither Mariamunechha nor Tarikul Islam has been officially reported as "missing" during their time abroad by the Bangladesh Embassy, police, or any law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh. Even the National Headquarters of the Bangladesh Scouts has failed to provide any written information on this matter. These discrepancies strongly suggest sinister motives behind Nazmul's actions.

Nazmul Haque voluntarily appeared before the investigation committee on September 11, 2022, to provide oral information. He recounted the incident involving Mariamunechha's disappearance, which allegedly occurred on the night of July 31. Tarikul Islam went missing upon his return after visiting the Eiffel Tower.

The investigation report paints a grim picture of financial mismanagement under Nazmul's leadership. It details a disregard for the Bangladesh Scouts' financial management and accounting rules, with cash transactions taking place without proper documentation. Shockingly, unauthorized extra payments of 60,000 BDT per person were made to participants in the Portugal Jamboree, bypassing official office records. These transactions lack any trace in office records, and desk officers have been unable to provide any evidence before the investigation committee. Receipts submitted by participants further fail to match the official Scout receipts. In a damning revelation, two receipts with the same MR number (01) were discovered, indicating a high likelihood of forgery.

Furthermore, no bank account was opened for financial transactions related to the 24th World Scout Jamboree in Portugal, a clear violation of the Scouts' rules.

A special investigative committee, led by Bangladesh Scouts’ vice president Professor Nazma Shams, was formed with a mandate to complete its inquiry within 20 days. Despite submitting their report on September 28, 2022, no action has been taken thus far, much to the frustration of Nazma Shams, who emphasizes that evidence of misconduct and embezzlement is undeniable.

Talking to the Daily Messenger over the issue, Nazma Shams, expressed her dismay at the lack of action taken by the authorities. She highlights discrepancies in payments and the process of sending individuals abroad, emphasizing that these issues have not been addressed.

Efforts to hold Nazmul accountable have faced numerous hurdles. The Chief National Commissioner Mozammel Haque Khan and the then President Abul Kalam Azad expressed their reluctance to pursue action against Nazmul Haque, leading to a protracted delay. 

Nazma Shams, determined to see justice served, has taken the bold step of initiating a case herself, aiming to hold him accountable for tarnishing her reputation. She underscores the two critical aspects of any investigation - financial transparency and adherence to the rules governing international assignments.

Financial Inconsistency in Portugal Jamboree

Beyond financial misconduct, Nazmul Haque's irregularities extended to the Portugal Jamboree. The Bangladesh Scouts had issued circulars specifying an estimated expense of one lakh fifty thousand taka per person. However, Nazmul Haque received 2 lakh 10 thousand taka per person from the participants without proper approval.

Contrary to the Bangladesh Scouts' circular, which mandates that selected individuals deposit 50 thousand taka with the organization, Nazmul received cash funds for international divisions directly, bypassing the international division's director, Ikbal Hossen Contingent. This arrangement did not see the money deposited with the Scouts. Furthermore, each participant received varying amounts from Nazmul Haque.

The irregularities in the Portugal Jamboree were not solely confined to financial matters. Nazmul Haque, his son, and seven other NCDC members' children organized 'entertainment trips' funded by the additional money taken from the participants. This misuse of funds was used to cover Nazmul's family's extravagant expenses.

Additionally, discrepancies arose in the purchase of tickets, where the Dhaka-Portugal ticket price ranged between 80,000 to 90,000 taka. However, Nazmul's unexplained decision-making led to tickets being bought for one lakh forty thousand taka each, resulting in an expenditure of nearly 15 lakh taka solely on tickets. Alarmingly, no accounts have been submitted for this significant expenditure.

Moreover, allegations have emerged of several undisclosed officials from the Bangladesh Scouts participating in international events, with Nazmul Haque not being the sole perpetrator. In 2016, over 200 participants from the Bangladesh Scouts' contingent leader joined the Indian Scouts and Guides' national jamboree in Jamboree, but their accounts and reports were never submitted.

In 2019, Nazmul also served as the contingent leader for the Australian Scouts and Guides' national jamboree in Australia, with 128 participants. Each participant contributed an estimated amount of 1 lakh 90 thousand taka, totaling approximately 2 crore 42 lakh taka. Astonishingly, only around 51 lakh 26 thousand taka was transferred through Bangladesh Scouts, while Nazmul personally collected the remainder, an act deemed entirely illegal. Unsurprisingly, no accounts have ever been submitted for this substantial sum of money.

In 2021, during a camp in Teknaf within his division, Nazmul Haque expended more than 2 crore taka, with allegations of providing substandard food to the scouts. The Chief National Commissioner instructed him to reconcile the accounts within a week, but despite holding a valuation meeting, he failed to complete this vital task.

In 2022, during the Disaster Management Camp in Meherpur, nearly 3 crore taka was expended, with no audit or expense accounts submitted, leaving another unresolved financial mystery hanging over Nazmul's tenure.

Due to financial irregularities, he had been expelled from the committee of the Rotary Club of Dhaka Urbana (2009-2010).