Special Correspondent:
Serious allegations of corruption and irregularities have surfaced in the ongoing Dhaka–Rangpur Expressway project, aimed at improving road connectivity across 16 northern districts. In Palashbari Upazila, Gaibandha, multiple claims suggest malpractices in land acquisition, including the resale of government-acquired land and embezzlement of compensation funds.
According to sources, some officials from the Land Acquisition (LA) branch of the district administration, notably Kanungo Anwar Hossain, allegedly colluded with landowners and middlemen to unlawfully manipulate compensation payments. Documents signed by Executive Engineer Pias Kumar Sen of the Roads and Highways Department confirm that under LA Case No. 1/69/1957-58, 0.32 acres (32 decimals) of land in Nuniagari Mouza, previously owned by Mofazzal Hossain, were officially acquired in 1957–58. The compensation was duly collected by the former owner, transferring the land to government ownership.
However, it is alleged that Mofazzal’s son, Munsur Ali, later illegally occupied a large portion of the government land and constructed multi-story buildings. During the subsequent 6-lane widening of the expressway, Munsur Ali reportedly influenced district administration officials to obtain compensation of approximately BDT 25 million for the unlawfully constructed structures.
Sources claim the syndicate is now attempting to claim an additional BDT 150 million by presenting the land as newly acquired. Records show that while 32 percent of the land was officially acquired in 1957–58, a new LA case in 2023 (Case No. 11/2019-20, Order No. 5944, dated July 31, 2023) reportedly added 33.25 percent more under Munsur Ali and his two brothers’ names, creating a scenario where 65.25 percent of the land is recorded as acquired. In reality, they occupy around 75 percent, concealing the excess and selling the same land twice to the government.The land in question also includes properties belonging to Rekha Begum and her family, but their names were excluded from compensation lists. Investigation by the Roads and Highways Department confirmed the accuracy of the original 1957–58 land acquisition. Repeated surveys, including drone-based measurements, verified the boundaries.
Allegedly, the Assistant Commissioner (Land) accepted bribes to submit biased reports, hiding parts of previous acquisition data, and facilitated the issuance of checks. Reports indicate that approximately BDT 5 million in bribes were involved in these unlawful transactions.A senior High Court lawyer commented that the resale or re-acquisition of government land is fraudulent. Any attempt to claim compensation illegally could result in repayment obligations, fines, and imprisonment, while departmental actions can also be taken against involved officials.
Local activists demand a thorough, impartial investigation into the alleged embezzlement of crores of taka through fraudulent re-acquisition and bribe-involved check issuance, urging strict legal action against all officials and beneficiaries implicated in the scandal.
