Staff Correspondent:

During the Awami League’s tenure, ministers, MPs, bureaucrats, party leaders, and influential locals acquired lands across Bangladesh by exploiting their power and influence. Some purchased land at nominal prices; others allegedly grabbed land from the helpless by force.

Following the regime’s fall, many of these individuals have gone into hiding, some domestically and others abroad, including in the UAE, Canada, the US, the UK, and India.

There are widespread allegations that many of these fugitive leaders are now hastily selling off both registered and unregistered properties. Investigations reveal significant land sell-offs in areas like Rajuk-Purbachal New Town, Rupganj, Gazipur, and Savar. One notable case includes former Detective Branch (DB) chief Monirul Islam, who allegedly sold nine bighas of land in Gazipur.

Habibur Rahman Haraj, former vice-chairman of Rupganj upazila and organising secretary of the local Awami League, was deeply involved in the real estate business under the party’s protection. He reportedly owned around 20 plots under various names. After the anti-discrimination student uprising on 5 August last year, Haraj fled the area and later sold a five-katha plot, allegedly laundering the proceeds abroad.

Locals allege that such plots were originally grabbed from ordinary citizens by ministers, MPs, and senior bureaucrats during the Awami League’s rule. Now, those same plots are being sold at inflated prices, with proceeds allegedly sent overseas. Haraj is not alone; other figures such as Ghulam Dastagir Gazi’s associates, Awami League leader Marfat Ali, former chairman Salauddin Bhuiyan of Rupganj Union, ex-chairman Oliur Rahman of Kaliganj, and Jubo League leader Shahin Malum have also reportedly liquidated plots.

Investigations reveal Haraj had acquired at least 20 plots in Purbachal, many under pseudonyms. He allegedly used threats to grab 25 plots from members of the Hindu community. Records show he sold a five-katha plot from Sector 10 to Tania Sultana, daughter of Iqbal Hossain from Madhukhali, through Dhaka’s commission registry office.

After 5 August, Haraj vanished, and his whereabouts remain unknown. However, reports suggest he continues selling off plots. One local, requesting anonymity, claimed Haraj is laundering the money abroad. A close associate confirmed ongoing efforts to sell remaining plots.

The Rupganj west sub-registry office reported 269 plots registered in Purbachal following the uprising. Many of these were completed via commission to maintain secrecy. A registry official stated that more plots have been sold in the past nine months than in the previous two years.

Shahin Malum, son of Abdul Haque Malum and a former central committee member of the Jubo League, amassed wealth through plot trading. Locals say he and his wife own around 10 plots in Purbachal and sold 40 decimals of land in January.

Marfat Ali, social welfare secretary of Daudpur Union AL, reportedly seized land in multiple areas through threats, particularly targeting the Hindu community. He allegedly forced individuals to sell land at throwaway prices, later reselling at exorbitant rates.

An unnamed broker shared that two 10-katha plots in the diplomatic zone of Sector 27 are in the names of Tarek Siddiqui and his wife, now up for sale. Former Secretary Helal Uddin was gifted a seven-and-a-half katha plot, which he has also reportedly put up for sale via intermediaries.

Several hundred brokers operate in Purbachal’s real estate circuit. Most high-profile owners have plots registered under relatives’ names, making actual ownership hard to trace. Sharif Mia, a local broker, confirmed that prices have surged, prompting covert sales.

Indigenous locals argue that the plots were meant for them and ordinary citizens but were instead allocated to politically connected individuals. Former MP Ghulam Dastagir Gazi’s allies are also among the beneficiaries. Locals suggest Rajuk should have built flats instead of allocating plots to curb corruption.

Former Nagari Union chairman Mohammad Oliul Islam Oli allegedly grabbed 63 plots worth Tk126 crore using forged documents. A dual citizen of Bangladesh and the US, he distributed plots among relatives. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) launched an inquiry into these claims in October 2021.

Oli’s relatives, including his wife, siblings, in-laws, and cousins, secured 31 plots despite not being Purbachal residents. He also obtained 11 plots in the names of the family members of AL leader Habibur Rahman.

Original landowner Mojibur Rahman alleged that Oli misappropriated government compensation by faking documents under the names of family and friends. Mojibur later filed a court case against the involved parties.

Jakarir, joint secretary of Tarab municipality’s Jubo League, reportedly sold six bighas of land for around Tk6 crore. Locals say other AL members in Kayetpara, Bhulta, and Kanchan have also sold off land since the regime change.

In Gazipur’s Kaliganj, disgraced police official Monirul Islam reportedly sold nine bighas of farmland secretly through his caretaker A. Momen. The land was registered under family and trusted aides.

Monirul Islam, known as DB Monirul, served nine years in Dhaka’s DB police and was close to ex-IGP Benazir Ahmed. After the uprising, he reportedly fled to Delhi and was later forced into retirement. Allegations claim he amassed illegal wealth worth hundreds of crores.

Monirul and his wife are said to own a 15-bigha agro farm in Royan, as well as 17 more bighas in nearby mouzas. In Purbachal’s VIP Zone, they own four 10-katha plots valued over Tk80 crore.

Local sources claim caretaker Momen arranged secret land deals on Monirul’s behalf and sent the money to India. The sales were completed informally to avoid registration, with documentation planned for later.

Once a low-wage employee, Momen’s association with Benazir and Monirul made him wealthy. He now owns 30-35 bighas of land and drives luxury cars. Locals allege most of his land was acquired through coercion using police influence.