Former Superintending Engineer of the Public Works Department’s (PWD) Dhaka Circle-1, Mohammad Badrul Alam Khan, faces a raft of allegations ranging from manipulating tenders and project allocations to influencing transfers and postings, acquiring disproportionate assets and allegedly using women to blackmail officials and contractors for money.
Several PWD officials and contractors have reportedly lodged written complaints with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the department over the allegations.
Badrul has since been removed from his post and is reportedly on leave for Umrah. However, officials familiar with the matter allege that he continues to influence departmental activities through his network.
The allegations have not been independently verified. Badrul could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts.
Alleged influence over tenders
According to complainants, Badrul allegedly used his influence to favour selected contractors in tenders for several major PWD projects.
The complaints reportedly mention projects in Mirpur, Savar, Manikganj and Gazipur. He has also been accused of pressuring officials to award an electrical/mechanical tender in Cumilla to a contractor who allegedly submitted a questionable certificate.
Although an inquiry committee was reportedly formed over the matter, those familiar with the investigation claim that the probe was subsequently stalled due to financial influence.
A section of contractors alleges that a powerful contractor syndicate operated around Badrul and that subordinate engineers were pressured to allocate projects to preferred contractors.
“Engineer Badrul sir understands nothing but money. Besides, there is hardly any chance of getting a job unless you are a preferred contractor,” a contractor said on condition of anonymity.
Allegations of using women to pressure officials
One of the more serious allegations concerns the alleged use of women to establish contact with targeted officials and contractors.
Several engineers claim that women known to the alleged network would initially establish contact with selected individuals. Once the relationship became closer, personal matters were allegedly used to threaten or blackmail them and demand money.
According to the complainants, officials or contractors who allegedly fell into such situations were subsequently directed to Badrul in the name of “resolving” the matter.
The allegations, if substantiated, would indicate a coordinated process involving both the creation of compromising situations and subsequent intervention to extract money, they said.
Several executive engineers have alleged that demands ranging from Tk 20 lakh to Tk 25 lakh were made from individuals who were allegedly targeted.
PWD Executive Engineer Md Atikul Islam of Khulna claimed that while he was serving in Dhaka, a woman contacted him and subsequently blackmailed him in various ways.
He said he had heard that the woman was acquainted with Badrul Alam and that Badrul later contacted him in connection with resolving the matter.
Atikul further claimed that he was initially removed from his position following the incident and was later transferred to Khulna.
The claims could not independently be verified.
Some PWD officials believe the allegations should be investigated to determine whether such incidents were isolated or part of a broader pattern. They also said the matter warrants scrutiny because many of those allegedly targeted were officials involved in major projects or influential contractors.
Alleged manipulation of project allocation
Badrul also faces allegations of influencing tenders, project allocation and release of government funds.
Complainants allege that he arranged work for preferred contractors without tendering in some cases, including urgent repairs of ministers’ official residences; inflated project costs; facilitated the distribution of funds; and influenced tender procedures to favour selected contractors.
He has also been accused of irregularities in releasing project funds and continuing work allegedly in disregard of government instructions.
Officials familiar with the matter further alleged that after serving in the Savar Circle, Badrul influenced the appointment of Executive Engineer Md Hezb ul Kabir to a position in Gazipur.
According to them, Hezb ul Kabir allegedly acted as a liaison with contractors and helped coordinate the distribution of project work among preferred firms.
Questions over major Gazipur projects
Several projects implemented in Gazipur during Badrul’s tenure have also come under scrutiny.
Those raising the allegations have cited projects including an agricultural marketing building costing around Tk 5 crore; a BSTI civil project worth Tk 15.41 crore; a metropolitan police station project worth Tk 20.24 crore; a model mosque project at the Sadar Upazila costing Tk 14.61 crore; a police station project in Kaliakair worth around Tk 10 crore; a Pubail police station project worth Tk 16.24 crore; and a Konabari police station project costing around Tk 15.82 crore.
Complainants allege that Badrul exerted influence to ensure that preferred contractors received these projects and that project work was distributed according to his preferences.
The allegations require scrutiny of the tender documents, evaluation reports, work orders, payment records and actual progress of the projects, according to officials familiar with the complaints.
Auditorium project also questioned
Allegations have also been raised over construction of an auditorium at the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital in Gazipur.
According to people familiar with the project, work allegedly continued using funds from another head despite instructions from the ministry to reduce additional expenditure.
They further alleged that the contractor was paid an advance of around Tk 4 crore, while the work remained incomplete even after the scheduled completion period.
The remaining work could require another Tk 6 crore to Tk 8 crore, they claimed.
Similar allegations have been raised over the Paikpara residential project in Mirpur and construction of the Bhasantek Police Station under a project for 107 police stations, where preferred contractors were allegedly awarded work in exchange for commissions.
Transfers, postings and assets
Badrul also faces allegations of using transfers and postings within the PWD to exert influence and facilitate financial transactions.
Several engineers claim they were subjected to various forms of pressure at different times.
Sources familiar with the complaints said documents allegedly containing information about a financial transaction involving Badrul and an executive engineer have been submitted to the ACC.
Questions have also been raised over Badrul’s alleged acquisition of assets disproportionate to his known income.
Complainants claim that documents and other information relating to his income-tax records, asset declarations, land and apartment ownership and bank transactions have been collected for verification.
There are also allegations that Badrul, while serving as a government employee, was involved in property development and owned or had interests in various properties and businesses.
Those making the allegations have mentioned properties in North Basabo, Uttara and Badda in Dhaka, as well as land and business establishments in Gazipur. They further allege that some assets may have been registered in the names of his siblings.
These claims have yet to be independently verified.
Previous allegations
Badrul had previously been made an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) while serving in Mymensingh following allegations of irregularities in approving building designs, according to sources.
He has also faced allegations of collecting funds to facilitate the execution of a greater number of projects through the PWD for the Ministry of Health.
Call for independent probe
A former Chief Engineer of the PWD said ensuring transparency in public procurement requires not only the use of e-GP but also independent monitoring and performance audits.
“Having rules alone is not enough. Their uniform and effective enforcement must also be ensured,” he said.
The allegations against Badrul are wide-ranging and involve public procurement, project implementation, personnel administration and alleged financial misconduct. Officials and contractors calling for an investigation said all relevant tender documents, project files, bank transactions, asset declarations and communications should be examined to establish whether the allegations have merit.
Repeated attempts were made to obtain Badrul Alam Khan’s comments on the allegations, but he did not answer phone calls.
The PWD and the ACC have yet to make public the outcome of any formal investigation into the allegations.