A major corruption scandal has emerged within the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC). The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into a superintending engineer of the CCC over allegations of illegal wealth accumulation and widespread irregularities in a development project worth Tk2,500 crore.
Meanwhile, the Local Government Department has issued a show-cause notice to the CCC’s chief revenue officer for allegedly signing an agreement to secure an appointment as deputy commissioner (DC) in exchange for Tk8 crore. These simultaneous actions by two separate government bodies have caused a significant stir within the CCC administration.
A deal to buy a ‘DC’ post for Tk8 crore: Chief Revenue Officer Sarwar faces show-cause notice
Unprecedented allegations of “post-trading” have surfaced against SM Sarwar Kamal, a deputy secretary to the government currently serving as chief revenue officer of the CCC. He is accused of signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and a contract with the divisional commissioner of Chattogram division to secure the position of DC of Cumilla in exchange for Tk8 crore. Relevant documents and information from multiple sources have already reached the ministry.
In a letter issued on 13 May, signed by Md Rabiul Islam, deputy secretary of the Local Government Department, SM Sarwar Kamal was instructed to show cause regarding the allegations.
The letter stated that evidence has been received from multiple sources indicating that SM Sarwar Kamal signed an agreement and MoU with the divisional commissioner of Chattogram division, promising Tk8 crore in exchange for the DC posting of Cumilla district.
He has been directed to submit a written explanation to the secretary of the Local Government Department within three working days, explaining why departmental disciplinary action should not be taken. Copies of the letter have been sent to various offices, including the CCC chief executive officer and the mayor’s private secretary.
Statement of the agreement
According to the alleged contract, upon securing the post, the officer promised to work in direct coordination with the divisional commissioner’s “nominated individuals” and “business syndicates,” indicating a deep-rooted conspiracy to misuse a high-level public administrative position for personal financial gain.
Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Md Ziauddin has strongly rejected the bribery allegations, which reportedly stem from a circulated WhatsApp message about the DC posting. He described the claims as baseless, shocking, and part of a deliberate conspiracy.
Speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh, he said, “It is astonishing that my name or designation has been dragged into such a sensitive matter based solely on a WhatsApp message without verification. I have no connection to this incident. A divisional commissioner has no administrative jurisdiction over the posting of a deputy commissioner. This is a high-level government decision. It is absurd to raise such fabricated allegations where there is no scope for a commissioner’s involvement.”
He added that a conspiracy is behind the allegations and that he has requested the National Security Intelligence (NSI) to trace the source of the message and identify those responsible.
Tk2,500 crore project irregularities: Superintending Engineer Jasim under ACC probe
In a separate development, the ACC has initiated an inquiry into allegations of illegal wealth accumulation and large-scale corruption in mega-projects against CCC Superintending Engineer Md Jasim Uddin and his wife Ayesha Akhter Noori.
A letter sent from the ACC’s Integrated District Office, Chattogram-1, to the CCC mayor revealed serious allegations against Jasim Uddin, including irregularities in appointing project directors during his previous tenure as executive engineer and in his current role as superintending engineer, alongside a Tk2,500 crore corruption case in a specific development project.
According to a letter signed by ACC Assistant Director and Team Leader Syed Mohammad Imran Hossain, a three-member specialised probe team has been formed to ensure a fair and thorough investigation.
Silence from the accused and authorities
While the allegations of multi-crore corruption and cash-for-post trading involving two top CCC officials have caused a major stir, those involved have remained silent:
SM Sarwar Kamal, chief revenue officer: Did not respond to phone calls, WhatsApp messages or texts seeking comment.
Md Jasim Uddin, superintending engineer: Repeatedly disconnected calls and did not respond to WhatsApp messages regarding the corruption allegations.
Md Rabiul Islam, deputy secretary, Local Government Department: Did not respond to repeated calls.
Shahadat Hossain, CCC mayor: Could not be reached despite attempts via mobile.
