RAJUK Official Palash Accused of Design Fraud and Corruption

a RAJUK official has come under serious allegations of design forgery, illegal collection of money, abuse of authority, absence from duty and accumulation of substantial assets.

Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), the Capital Development Authority, is responsible for some of the most critical aspects of urban development in Dhaka, including planned urbanisation, approval of building designs, land-use clearances and regulation of construction and housing activities.

Yet a RAJUK official has come under serious allegations of design forgery, illegal collection of money, abuse of authority, absence from duty and accumulation of substantial assets.

At the centre of the allegations is RAJUK official Palash Shikder. He has been accused of allegedly operating a powerful syndicate involving approval of building designs, land-use clearances and commercial building permissions in Uttarkhan and other areas under RAJUK's jurisdiction.

According to alleged victims and people familiar with the process, customers were reportedly required to pay substantial sums beyond government-prescribed fees to obtain various services.

The allegations are not limited to field-level complaints. Sources familiar with the matter claim that internal disciplinary investigations were conducted against Palash Shikder and that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) also conducted an inquiry into allegations concerning his assets, bank accounts and official activities.

Palash Shikder, however, has categorically denied all the allegations, describing the information as “completely false, fabricated and baseless” and saying that he has no involvement in any of the alleged activities.

Palash No Longer Visits His Hometown

A field investigation found that Palash Shikder's ancestral home is in the Guarekha Union of Swarupkathi in Pirojpur. His father, Abdur Rab Sikder, was a former chairman of the union.

According to several local residents, Palash joined RAJUK in 2016. Before that, he was allegedly involved with Bangladesh Chhatra League politics while pursuing his studies.

Several locals said Palash has not appeared publicly in his home area since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024.

Asked why he no longer visits the area, some residents said ordinary people still feel uncomfortable speaking publicly about him because of his alleged long-standing influence and network of supporters in the locality.

Some locals also alleged that a group once considered close to Palash remained active in the area. According to them, his alleged influence discouraged people from speaking openly against him.

However, these local allegations could not be independently verified.

Allegation of Spending Crores on Wife’s Election Campaign

Locals allege that after Palash's father, Abdur Rab Sikder, died while serving as chairman, efforts were made to retain the chairmanship within the same family. As part of that effort, Palash's wife, Farzana, was reportedly made a candidate for the chairman's post.

Local villegers claims that a substantial amount of money was allegedly spent to secure the nomination through the influence network of then-Awami League leader and former Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader.

Some of them further claim that Palash himself spent between Tk 2 crore and Tk 3 crore on the election campaign. Farzana, however, ultimately lost the election.

This has prompted questions among locals: How could a government employee have access to such a large amount of money?

They also raises question about the source of funds which used to construct a reportedly luxurious house in his home area and to acquire assets in and around Dhaka, particularly if there is no visible record of significant sales of his ancestral property.

The ‘Double Design’ Controversy

One of the most serious allegations against Palash Shikder concerns what those familiar with the matter describe as a “double design” practice.

According to the allegations, in some cases one design would remain officially approved in RAJUK's records while a different design would allegedly be provided to the client. This allegedly created opportunities for construction on roads, water bodies or other areas in violation of regulations.

The allegations suggest that illegal payments of up to Tk 1 crore per file were allegedly involved in the process.

According to sources, two individuals named Mobarak and Mahabub were allegedly involved in the network alongside Palash Shikder. The pair reportedly helped operate an influential network in Uttarkhan for an extended period.

Land Clearances Marred by Bribery Claims

Another serious allegations have also been raised concerning land-use clearances, one of RAJUK's key public services.

According to people familiar with the process, although customers are required to pay government-prescribed fees to obtain such clearances, files were allegedly delayed and applicants were reportedly asked to pay additional sums.

The allegations claim that Tk 5 lakh to Tk 10 lakh was allegedly demanded for each land-use clearance. Applicants who refused to pay were allegedly confronted with various objections, resulting in their files being kept pending for prolonged periods.

As a result, many applicants allegedly paid additional money through intermediaries to avoid further delays and financial losses.

Millions Allegedly Sought for Commercial Designs

Similar allegations have emerged regarding approval of designs for commercial buildings.

Real-estate developers and building owners allegedly claim that even after paying the prescribed government fees, files would not move unless demands allegedly made by the network under Palash's influence were met.

According to the allegations, Tk 20 lakh to Tk 50 lakh was allegedly demanded for approval of each commercial building design.

Complainants further allege that in some cases, designs containing serious irregularities were nevertheless cleared in exchange for money.

If proven, such practices would represent not only financial corruption but also a significant threat to safe and planned urban development in the capital.

Allegations of Absence and Power Abuse

The allegations against Palash Shikder are not confined to financial irregularities. He has also been accused of negligence in performing his administrative responsibilities.

Sources familiar with an internal disciplinary inquiry at RAJUK claim that his regular absence from the workplace was identified during the investigation.

There are also allegations that he remained absent from duty for most days of the week while maintaining his influence through contacts with powerful quarters.

According to the allegations, this resulted in ordinary customers' files remaining pending for extended periods, forcing them to wait for services.

Sources familiar with the investigation also reportedly referred to attempts to use high-level lobbying and influence to manage allegations against him.

OSD followed by ACC Inquiry

According to sources familiar with the matter, after allegations were received and an internal investigation was conducted, the Ministry of Housing and Public Works removed Palash Shikder from his regular responsibilities at RAJUK and attached him as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD).

An inquiry by the Anti-Corruption Commission was subsequently initiated, sources claim.

The ACC allegedly collected information about assets and bank accounts held in Palash's name as well as in the names of family members.

Sources further claim that Palash was served notices seeking details of his assets and was questioned at the ACC office.

Wife, Sister’s Bank Accounts Probed

Sources familiar with the ACC inquiry claim that, in addition to Palash Shikder, information regarding several bank accounts held in the names of his wife and sister was also collected.

The relevant authorities were reportedly asked to provide transaction details for review.

According to the allegations, questions regarding the actual sources of his assets and whether his income is consistent with his expenditure and declared assets prompted authorities to examine his financial transactions more closely.

However, without an official order confirming that any bank account was frozen or any asset seized, it would not be appropriate to make a definitive claim that such measures have been taken.

Palash’s Assets Under Scrutiny

Sources familiar with the ACC inquiry claim that information has been found concerning a duplex house reportedly valued at around Tk 2 crore, a Toyota Harrier vehicle and several plots of land in Dhaka and surrounding areas allegedly linked to Palash Shikder.

Authorities are reportedly examining the legal sources of these assets, their purchase prices and whether they are consistent with his declared income and assets.

There are also allegations that legal measures may be taken to prevent the transfer of assets and that proceedings could be initiated for attachment or confiscation.

However, in the absence of a final court order or official documentation, it would not be appropriate to conclusively describe any of these assets as “illegally acquired property.”

Departmental Inquiry Launched

According to sources familiar with the matter, departmental proceedings have been initiated against Palash Shikder under the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules over allegations including design forgery, abuse of official authority and administrative irregularities.

If the allegations are established through due process, the authorities have the scope to take stringent administrative action against him.

Investigators believe that if serious allegations against an official of an institution as important as RAJUK are proven, the matter should not end with action against the individual alone. The role of the wider network allegedly associated with the official should also be examined.

Palash Denies Claims, Threatens Legal Action

When contacted for his response to the allegations, Palash Shikder categorically denied them.

He said the information presented for the report was “completely false, fabricated and baseless.” He also denied having any involvement in the alleged activities.

Palash further said that if a report was published on the basis of such information, he would take legal action.

Palash’s Alleged Influence at RAJUK

The allegations against Palash Shikder extend beyond accusations of corruption against a single official. If the allegations are substantiated, the role of officials and intermediaries involved in RAJUK's design approval process, land-use clearances and field-level brokerage networks would also require scrutiny.

A central question is whether a single official could independently control such a large network of design approvals, clearances and financial transactions over an extended period without the involvement or cooperation of others.

Therefore, alongside the ongoing departmental investigation and ACC inquiry, it is essential to examine the alleged roles of his associates, the sources of his assets, bank transactions, records of design approvals and testimonies of the affected applicants.

Ultimately, uncovering the truth behind allegations of irregularities at an institution as important as RAJUK is not merely a matter of ensuring accountability for an individual official. It concerns planned urban development, public safety and citizens’ confidence in state institutions.