Sheikh Hasina's croniesIllegal wealth-grabbers of PWD still at large

• Cases were filed against many engineers after August 5.

• Influential engineers have embezzled crores of taka through undeclared agreements with their own contractors.

• The slow-motion policy of the Anti-Corruption Commission has encouraged the corrupt.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's cronies, the illegal wealth holders of public works, are still at large. They are not being brought under the law. As a result, various officials and employees, including engineers, are in a good mood.

This organized group has looted and plundered during the tenure of the fallen government. Each one has become a banana tree with his fingers swollen. Even the ACC itself has no information about their illegal wealth. The authorities are also largely silent for unknown reasons. These powerful engineers are beyond the reach of capture. They are paying little attention to the case. They are also reluctant to speak to the media. The interim government is also hesitant to take action against them. That is why corrupt officials are living their days peacefully by accumulating mountains of illegal wealth through corruption. Looking at the surrounding situation, it seems that no one is watching these misdeeds.

Sixteen engineers of the Public Works Department have been accused in the case of killing students and people during the July-August revolution last year. A case has been filed against an engineer of the National Housing Authority on the same charge. These engineers, who are beneficiaries of the fallen government, are in fear of arrest. They are desperate to be exempted from the case. They have started running to various offices to escape the case. Many of them have already been banned from going to the office of the Chief Advisor.

According to relevant sources, some will be brought to justice for corruption. These important engineers are currently irregular at work due to fear of lawsuits and arrests. This has caused stagnation throughout the department. Some have already been transferred outside Dhaka. However, they work there for one or two days a week. Although their attendance is fine on paper, they stay at the Public Works Department for the entire week. They spend their time busy with their meetings rather than work. During the Hasina government, these engineers have become owners of hundreds of crores of taka through irregularities and corruption in various projects. They have built houses in elite areas of the capital. Their children study abroad. Many have also taken citizenship of other countries.

Serious allegations have been made that these engineers provided crores of taka to prevent student and public movements. There are also allegations that they provided money to the then DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman and DB Chief Harun Ur Rashid. Multiple complaints have been filed against many of them with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). It is learnt that the ACC is taking note of the complaints and is investigating them.

The complaint reveals that far from taking action against these officials who were at the forefront of corruption during the time of the fallen government, many of them have been repeatedly rewarded. Not only that, many of them used to boast that they were Sheikh Hasina's people. If anyone wrote about their corruption and irregularities, they would be threatened with a case. Indirectly, all the contracting work is still under their control.

It is learned that after the interim government led by Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus came to power, the process of bringing these engineers, known as accomplices of those trying to sabotage the movement, to trial is underway. In continuation of this, separate murder cases have been filed against these engineers at Paltan, Rampura and Savar police stations in the capital. Cases have also been filed at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court in Dhaka. Many of them were active members of the Bangabandhu Engineers Council. Some were directly centered around Ganabhaban.

A search of the case files filed at various police stations revealed that the accused in the student-crowd murder case include Public Works Department Chief Engineer Shamim Akhtar, Additional Chief Engineer (Dhaka Zone) Shamsuddoha, Additional Chief Engineer (Establishment) Shahidul Alam, Additional Chief Engineer (E/M) Alamgir Hossain, Additional Chief Engineer Mosleh Uddin Ahmed; Supervising Engineer Elias Ahmed, Supervising Engineer Monirul Islam, Supervising Engineer Satinath Basak and Supervising Engineer Zakir Hossain, Executive Engineer Ahsan Habib, Executive Engineer Abul Kalam Azad, Executive Engineer Mostafizur Rahman, Executive Engineer Amanullah Sarkar and Executive Engineer Miraj of the National Housing Authority's EM Division.

However, administration sources have said that, subject to investigation, a dozen more names may be added to the list of accused and some names may be dropped.

In addition to the cases filed at Paltan, Rampura and Savar police stations in the capital, a murder case has been filed against them at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court in Dhaka. The case was filed by KM Shahriar Shuvo, a resident of Jhigatola in the capital. He is said to be a public works contractor. According to sources, the contractors who had monopolized the contract during the time of the fallen government have now also changed their minds.

When contacted, some of the engineers on the list of accused in the case told this reporter that they are people from several contracting companies involved in these cases. Their main objective is to try to obtain contracting work and financial benefits by putting the accused in the case under various pressures. The heads of the contracting companies are now intentionally showing fear of arrest in these cases. They are being told that they will be released from the case if they pay money.

When asked about these matters, a senior police officer told this reporter that once the case is investigated, it will be clear to what extent the accused are responsible or involved. Nothing can be said before that. In response to another question, he said, no one will get a chance to manage. Arrests will be made after proper investigation.

Some executive engineers, on condition of anonymity, said that during the fascist Awami League government, there were allegations of partisanship and corruption, including controversial activities, against some officials. They thought that they themselves did not serve, that all were political leaders. Those who enjoyed privileges and committed corruption and irregularities during the previous government should definitely be tried. Instead, cases have been filed in droves. Many do not come to the office properly for fear of losing their jobs and being arrested in cases. However, we want those who committed corruption during the fallen government to be tried.

Some engineers complain that no specific steps are being taken by the ministry or the department to resolve the case. None of the top officials of the Public Works Department are willing to speak out on the issue.

According to sources, everything happens at the will of those in power here. In addition to killing students and the public, many are also involved in corruption. They are now trying to become engineers. Earlier, these public works engineers got involved in massive corruption by forming friendships with GK Shamim. The masterminds of corruption and irregularities have become the owners of hundreds of crores of taka. If you look into their salary and source of income, you will find wealth worth millions. You will also find wealth in the names of your wife, children and relatives.

Sources said that Ashraful Alam has recently been appointed as Additional Chief Engineer (Reserve) in the Public Works Department. He was also in the Public Works Department before. At that time, there were allegations of huge irregularities against him. He was removed from his post due to corruption and transferred as Director General of the Housing and Building Research Institute. There are rumors throughout the department that he will take over as Chief Engineer in a few days. There are allegations against him of cooperating in suppressing the student-public movement. But for mysterious reasons, no case has been filed. Everyone in the Public Works Department knows him as a corrupt official. But he is trying hard to get appointed as Chief Engineer by lobbying.

Ashraful Alam's mobile phone was called to ask for comment on these allegations, but he did not answer.

When the phone call was made to the Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, Mohammad Shamim Akhtar, he also did not answer the phone.

Hamidur Rahman Khan, Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, said, "A list of corrupt officials is being prepared. No exemption will be given. So far, we have not received any letter from the court. Action will be taken if it comes. Everyone's cooperation is needed to suppress the corrupt."

Meanwhile, although the powerful engineers of public works were transferred to different places, no legal action was taken against them. Their mountain-sized assets were not taken into account. No one was brought to justice. During the time of the fallen government, the engineers who had exclusive control over their offices and worked for commission by giving work to contractors of their choice are still in Birdarpa. They have only been transferred from one place to another. But they are identified officials of the fascist government. They will strike if they get the opportunity. The wise people believe that the interim government should be careful in this regard.

The following is a list of the names of the engineers who were transferred after the interim government came to power after the student-public movement in July-August.

On August 20 last year, Executive Engineer Abdullah Al Mamun was transferred from Public Works Department, Dhaka (Reserve) to Patuakhali Public Works Division, Patuakhali. On August 21, Executive Engineer Jahrul Islam was transferred from Pirojpur Public Works Division to the important Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Public Works Division-2. Executive Engineer Mehedi Hasan; was transferred from Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Public Works Division-2 to Reserve Public Works Department. Junaid Arifin Bhuiyan; was transferred from Sher-e-Bangla Nagar - Urban Public Works Sub-Division-5 to Sub-Divisional Engineer Population Project (PPC), Public Works Department, Dhaka. Barkat Majumder, Sub-Divisional Engineer, Uttara Public Works Sub-Division, Dhaka, was transferred to Sub-Divisional Engineer, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Public Works Sub-Division-5, Dhaka. Md. Golam Baki Ibn Hafiz was transferred from Sub-Divisional Engineer, Population Project (PPC) to Public Works Department, Dhaka - Sub-Divisional Engineer, Uttara Public Works Sub-Division. All of them are (BCS) cadre and senior officers.

Md. Amirul Islam; Sub-Divisional Engineer Public Works Maintenance and Sub-Division-3 was transferred to Munshiganj Public Works Sub-Division Munshiganj. Md. Nazmul Haque; Sub-Divisional Engineer, Eden Public Works Division-2, Dhaka was transferred to Sub-Divisional Engineer Public Works Maintenance Sub-Division-3, Dhaka.
Partha Sarathi Dutta; Transferred from Munshiganj Sub-Divisional Engineer to Eden Public Works Sub-Division-2, Dhaka.

Accused of corruption and irregularities and obedient and influential Executive Engineer (BCS-Public Works) of the fascist government, Md. Jahangir Alam was transferred from E-M Branch, Rajshahi to Executive Engineer E/M, (Reserve) Public Works Department, Dhaka. (Attached: Factory Division Public Works E-M) SM Mainul Haque; Executive Engineer E-M Division-1 Chittagong was transferred to Executive Engineer, E-M Division-3 Dhaka. Pavitra Kumar Das was transferred from Executive Engineer Public Works E-M Division-6 Dhaka to Executive Engineer E-M P&D Division, Rajshahi. This officer used to introduce himself as Sheikh Hasina's man in public. He used to behave very badly with the media people.

Md. Tariqul Islam; Executive Engineer E-M, Public Works Department (Reserve) has been transferred to Executive Engineer E-M Division-6, Dhaka. Executive Engineer Kazi Ashfiq Ahmed has been transferred to Public Works (E-M) Division-9, Dhaka. Executive Engineer (Reserve) of Public Works Department Swapan Chakma has been transferred from Dhaka to Executive Engineer (Establishment) Public Works Department, Dhaka. Md. Mahfuzul Alam Executive Engineer (Reserve) (Staff Officer of the Chief Engineer) has been transferred to Executive Engineer Public Works PEKU Division, Dhaka.

Md. Azmul Haque, the son of the corrupt Executive Engineer (Reserve) of Dhaka Medical College, Public Works Department, has been appointed as the staff officer of the Chief Engineer. He was the mastermind of the fallen government.

Dr. Md. Shafiul Islam; Executive Engineer (Reserve) has been transferred from the attached Research and Development Unit to the Executive Engineer Public Works Resources Division. Abul Kalam Azad; Motijheel Public Works Division-Executive Engineer (Reserve) has been attached from the Public Works Department, Dhaka to the Uttara Apartment Project.

Md. Tariqul Islam has been transferred from Executive Engineer (Establishment) to Executive Engineer Medical College, Dhaka Division.

Abdullah Al-Mamun; Executive Engineer (Reserve) Public Works Department, Dhaka has been transferred to Executive Engineer Motijheel Public Works Division. On October 24, Swarnendu Shekhar Mandal; Executive Engineer on deputation, 9 Urban Zone Building Security, Public Works Department, Dhaka has been transferred to Executive Engineer, Gopalganj. Amit Kumar Biswas, Executive Engineer Khulna has been transferred to Executive Engineer Patuakhali Public Works Division.

Sharmin Akhter; Executive Engineer (Reserve) has been transferred from Uttara Apartment Construction Project to Executive Engineer Gazipur. Kamrul Hasan, Executive Engineer Gopalganj has been transferred to Executive Engineer Khulna Public Works. Md. Ashraf Uddin, Executive Engineer, Gazipur has been transferred to Bhola. All of them are very powerful officers and are accused of corruption.

Syed Iskandar Ali Executive Engineer E/M, Public Works Design Division has been transferred to Executive Engineer E/M P&D Division, Mymensingh. Zubayr Bin Haider Executive Engineer E/M, Public Works E-M-Division 9 has been transferred to Executive Engineer E/M Additional Chief Engineer (E/M Pind D) Office, Dhaka. Hasan Ibne Kamal Executive Engineer (E/M)(Reserve) Public Works Department has been transferred to Executive Engineer E/M Public Works E/M P&D Chittagong. Kashem Aminur Rahman Executive Engineer (E/M) Public Works, Chittagong has been transferred to Executive Engineer E/M Division-1 Chittagong.

Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, Executive Engineer (E/M) Public Works, E/M P&D, has been transferred from the Division to Executive Engineer (E/M) Public Works Design Division-3, Dhaka. He is an influential and corrupt mastermind of the BCS (Public Works) cadre and is associated with the contracting business. Md. Abul Kalam has been transferred from Supervising Engineer (E/M) Public Works, Circle-3 to Supervising Engineer (E/M) Public Works (E/M) Circle-4, Dhaka.

Mahbubul Haque Chowdhury Supervising Engineer (E/M) Public Works E/M Circle-4, Dhaka- has been transferred to Supervising Engineer E/M Public Works E/M Circle-3, Dhaka. A.K.M, Suhrawardy has been transferred from Supervising Engineer Richard, Public Works Department, Dhaka to Supervising Engineer, Attached Public Relations Project Unit, Public Works Department, Dhaka. He is known to everyone as the most capable officer of the Dhaka Divisional Public Works Department.

Executive Engineer Abul Kalam Azad Executive Engineer Dhaka Public Works Division-3, Dhaka has been transferred to Urban Public Works Division-3, Dhaka. Md. Moinul Islam Executive Engineer, Maintenance Division Chittagong- Executive Engineer Dhaka Public Works Division-3 has been transferred. Ruhul Guha, Executive Engineer Public Works Peku Division. Executive Engineer Public Works Maintenance Division, Chittagong has been transferred. Md. Mohibur Rahman Executive Engineer Shariatpur. Public Works Division has been transferred to Executive Engineer Public Works Survey Division, Dhaka.

Md. Mostafizur Rahman has been transferred from Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Public Works Division-1 to Mymensingh Public Works Division. Muhammad Zillur Rahman Siddiqui is Executive Engineer Mymensingh Public Works Division. He has been transferred from Mymensingh to Executive Engineer Reserve Public Works Department. Md. Taimur Alam is Superintending Engineer (E/M) Circle-1 Dhaka. He has been transferred to Superintending Engineer (E/M) Public Works E/M P&D Circle, Dhaka.

Humaira Binte Reza, Supervising Engineer E/M Public Works E/M P&D Circle, Dhaka has been transferred to Supervising Engineer (E/M) Public Works E/M Circle-1, Dhaka. Md. Latiful Islam, Executive Engineer Public Works Division-4 has been transferred to Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Public Works Division-1, Dhaka. Abu Zafar Muhammad Shafiul Hannan, Executive Engineer (Reserve) Public Works Department, Dhaka has been transferred to Joint RAB Forces Headquarters, Construction Projects-Executive Engineer Project Division-4, Dhaka.

Joardar Tabedun Nabi, Executive Engineer, RIZARD, Public Works Department, Dhaka has been transferred to Executive Engineer (RIZARD) Public Works Department, Dhaka (Joint RAB Headquarters Construction Project). Faisal Halim has been transferred to Executive Engineer Azimpur, Public Works Division, Dhaka from Executive Engineer (RIZARD) Public Works Department, Dhaka.

Md. Moniruzzaman Executive Engineer, Azimpur Public Works Division, Dhaka-Executive Engineer (Urban Area Building Protection Project on Dispatch) Public Works Department, Dhaka has been transferred. A. M. Iftekhar Majid Executive Engineer Rajbari has been transferred to Executive Engineer (Rizard) Public Works Department, Dhaka. Md. Shahin Mia Supervising Engineer (Rizard) Public Works Department, Dhaka has been transferred to Supervising Engineer Joint Research and Development Unit, Dhaka. Md. Arifuzzaman Khandaker, Executive Engineer (Rizard) Public Works Department, Dhaka has been transferred to Executive Engineer Rajbari Public Works Division. Zahedun Nabi Chowdhury Sub-Divisional Engineer Savar Public Works Sub-Division-1 has been transferred to Sub-Divisional Engineer Eden Public Works Sub-Division-2 Dhaka.

During the previous fascist government, influential officials were Superintending Engineer Civil and E/M. Mohammad Abul Kalam was transferred from Superintending Engineer E/M Public Works Circle-4 to Superintending Engineer E/M P&D Circle Dhaka. Taimur Alam; Superintending Engineer E/M Public Works Circle Dhaka to Superintending Engineer E/M Public Works Circle-4 to Dhaka. Nandita Rani Saha; Superintending Engineer, Installation was transferred from Superintending Engineer (Civil) to Directorate of Architecture, Dhaka. Mahbub Hasan was transferred from Superintending Engineer (Development) Public Works Department to Superintending Engineer Installation Dhaka.

Md. Sarwar Jahan, Supervising Engineer, Department of Architecture, has been transferred to Supervising Engineer (Registration); Public Works Department, Dhaka. This officer is accused of various allegations and corruption.

Ahmed Anwarul Nazrul, Superintending Engineer of Jessore Public Works Circle, has been transferred from Jessore to Superintending Engineer; Khulna Public Works Circle, Khulna. Francis Arshish DiCosta, Superintending Engineer of Khulna Public Works Circle, has been transferred to the post of Superintending Engineer of Rajshahi District. Md. Fazlul Haque, Superintending Engineer who gave additional bill to G.K. Shamim, has been transferred from Rajshahi Circle to Jessore Public Works Department.

Elias Ahmed, Superintending Engineer, has been transferred from Dhaka to Sylhet. Executive Engineer Amanullah Sarkar has been transferred from Dhaka to Jhalokati.

The owners of the contracting companies said that most of the executive engineers had taken out contractor licenses in the names of their relatives and divided the work. They often gave work to contractors of their choice through hidden tenders. If these are investigated, the cat will come out of the bag. The government will benefit more from this.

(Details of the illegal assets of these corrupt public works engineers will be revealed in a follow-up investigative report)