TDS Desk:

Former foreign minister Hasan Mahmud has reportedly amassed significant illegal wealth both in Bangladesh and abroad through corruption over the past 15 years.

Allegations have surfaced against him for illegally occupying a significant amount of land, including around 212 acres from the Forest Department.

Sources said that he owns numerous illegal plots, flats and houses worth crores of taka in various locations, including Chattogram’s Anannya Residential Area, Dewanbazar Mausumi Mor and Khulshi.

During his tenure in key ministries under Sheikh Hasina’s four-term government, this Joint General Secretary of the Awami League has amassed substantial overseas assets.

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) are currently investigating his wealth and corruption.

Following the government’s fall, over a dozen cases, including charges of murder, terrorism and extortion, have been filed against Hassan Mahmud in different police stations across Chattogram.

On 11 August, the BFIU reportedly froze his bank accounts. Since the fall of the AL government, the four-time former Member of Parliament for Chattogram-7 constituency (Rangunia and parts of Boalkhali) has been missing.

Rumours suggest he was detained while attempting to flee the country on 5 August, the day after the regime’s collapse, with speculation that he may have fled to Belgium despite a government-imposed travel ban.

In his absence, people in Rangunia are reportedly breathing a sigh of relief. A senior Awami League leader, on condition of anonymity, told the Bengali daily Kaler Kantho, “Because of Hasan Mahmud, I was forced to stay inactive in politics for the last 15 and a half years. Many dedicated leaders and activists were also unable to remain in the area. Now, many are returning.”

According to locals, Hasan Mahmud ensured the unopposed victory of his preferred candidates in local elections. His tenure saw family members, his driver, personal assistant, and close associates become millionaires.

Abu Ahmed Hasnat, former BNP Member Secretary of Rangunia Upazila, said that since Hasan Mahmud became an MP in 2008, opposition leaders, including those from his party, were systematically driven out. “Hasan filed hundreds of fabricated cases against our leaders and workers,” he added.

Leaders from the Awami League and allied organisations noted that there was no politics in Rangunia outside of the ‘Dr Hassan Mahmood League’. Any opposition to his authority was met with harassment.

The growth of his wealth

Hassan Mahmood was elected as an MP from Rangunia in the 2008 elections under the Awami League banner. Allegations suggest that while serving as Minister for Forests and Environment, he facilitated his younger brother, Ershad Mahmood, in illegally occupying hundreds of acres of government forest land, on which a tourism centre and various other projects were developed.

Accusations extend to his involvement in occupying a shipbuilding dockyard and obtaining a ship handling licence under his wife’s name, alongside ownership of fishing trawlers. One dockyard owner has reportedly sent him a legal notice demanding Tk600 crore as compensation for the dockyard occupation. Furthermore, allegations of misappropriation from the climate fund have also been directed at him.

212 acres of forest land encroached

In the Khurushia range of Rangunia, Hasan Mahmud’s brother, Ershad Mahmud, is accused of occupying around 212 acres of Forest Department land. Since 2009, he has developed various projects on this encroached land, including livestock farms, ponds, gardens and restaurants.

Chattogram South Forest Division Range Officer Md Ashraful Islam said, “We have conducted several operations and recovered 200 acres of forest land. Now, there is no political pressure, allowing us to work independently.”

However, Ershad Mahmud claimed through media advertisements that they developed the farms on government-leased land, a statement denied by senior forest officials.

Tk600 crore compensation for dockyard occupation

In March 2021, allegations emerged against Hassan Mahmood for occupying the FMC dockyard on the banks of the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram. His brother, Khaled Mahmud, reportedly assaulted security personnel to take control, a confrontation captured in a viral video.

Legal documents, including contracts for fishing trawler construction in favour of a company owned by Hassan Mahmud’s wife, were allegedly created, further burdening FMC with massive bank loans.

The family of FMC Dockyard Chairman Mohammad Yasin Chowdhury claimed they had to comply with unreasonable demands from Hasan Mahmud due to his ministerial position. Following the government’s fall, they publicly revealed details of the dockyard occupation and filed legal notices demanding Tk600 crore in compensation.

Hasan Mahmud is also accused of leveraging his influence to secure a director position for his brother, Khalid, at the International Islamic University Chittagong, where he chairs the Press and Publication and Advertising Committee. He has similarly used his power to secure jobs for relatives at Chittagong Medical University.

Tk41 crore project forced through

Under pressure from Hasan Mahmud, the National Housing Authority launched a Tk41 crore “Site and Services Residential Plot Development” project in Rangunia. In 2014, he issued a Demi-Official Letter (DO) supporting the initiative. Although various ministries raised objections due to environmental concerns, the project was ultimately approved in March 2020.

Accusations of coercion in the project’s approval process have surfaced, and recently, the Department of Environment revoked the environmental clearance for the housing project.

Property details in his election affidavit

In his affidavit submitted for the 12th national parliamentary elections on 29 November last year, Hasan Mahmud declared loans of Tk2.28 crore. Besides allowances as an MP and Minister, he reported an annual income of Tk2.77 lakh from agriculture and other sectors. His movable assets were valued at Tk20 lakh, with Tk12 lakh deposited in banks.

However, close associates and Awami League leaders suggest that his actual wealth far exceeds these figures.

Multiple houses and apartments

In the affidavit, Hasan Mahmud’s wife Nuran Fatema declared assets worth Tk10.35 crore. She constructed a multi-storey building, “Chowdhury Tower,” on Siraj Ud Daula Road in Chattogram, claiming to have invested crores of taka.

While the family asserts the building belongs to her in-laws, it was attacked and vandalised by protesters on the day the government fell on 5 August.

Hasan Mahmud’s wealth increased by 4,683%

According to his election affidavit, Hassan Mahmood’s annual income, excluding MP and Minister allowances, was Tk2.77 lakh. However, allegations to the ACC indicate his wealth increased by 4,683 times over the past 15 and a half years.

He reportedly holds assets worth thousands of crores, both directly and through proxies, including significant properties in the UAE’s Ajman area and various locations in Bangladesh, which are not disclosed in his tax returns or affidavit.