The government has cancelled the flat allocations of 12 former top officials, including influential bureaucrats and judges, who were allegedly rewarded with luxury apartments during the tenure of the now-ousted Awami League government.
The decision was announced on Tuesday by the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, following a board meeting of the National Housing Authority (NHA).
The ministry stated that the flats, located in a high-rise under construction on Road-6 in Dhaka’s upscale Dhanmondi residential area, were allotted in violation of policy guidelines and through abuse of power.
According to a release, the cancellation follows findings from both the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and an internal NHA committee. The 12 flats, ranging from 2,049 to 4,308 square feet, were part of a 14-storey government housing project built on an abandoned property.
The ACC opened its investigation after the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August 2024, following a student-led uprising.
Whistleblowers alleged that the flat allocations were part of a reward scheme targeting 12 senior officials involved in the controversial 2018 general election, often criticised as the “midnight vote” for alleged ballot stuffing the night before polls.
The ACC probe confirmed irregularities in allocation, prompting further scrutiny by the Housing Authority.
Those whose allocations were revoked include: Md Jahurul Haque, former judge and ex-commissioner of the ACC (4,105 sq ft), Md Yunusur Rahman, former senior secretary (2,315 sq ft), Md Mozammel Haque Khan, ex-senior secretary and former ACC commissioner (4,308 sq ft), MA Kader Sarkar, former secretary (2,049 sq ft), Aslam Alam, former senior secretary (2,049 sq ft), Akhtari Momtaz, former secretary (2,049 sq ft), Md Sirajul Haque Khan, former secretary (2,315 sq ft), Md Manjurul Bashid, former senior district judge (2,315 sq ft), Syed Aminul Islam, former registrar general and senior judge (2,049 sq ft), Prof Nehal Ahmed, former DG of Secondary and Higher Education (2,049 sq ft), Md Anisur Rahman, ex-senior secretary and former election commissioner (2,315 sq ft) and SM Golam Faruk, former senior secretary (2,049 sq ft).
The ministry noted that further action may be taken if criminal intent or financial irregularities are established in future investigations.