Special Correspondent

Serious allegations of corruption, financial irregularities, abuse of power and personal misconduct have surfaced against Mohammad Badrul Alam Khan, a senior official of the Public Works Department (PWD), raising questions about accountability within the government agency.

Badrul, a 21st BCS cadre officer, was recently made an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) while serving as Superintending Engineer (Civil) at Dhaka PWD Circle-1. Multiple complaints, audio and video clips circulated on social media, and media reports have accused him of amassing substantial wealth through alleged abuse of official influence and irregularities in government projects.

The allegations include manipulation of tenders, control over transfers and postings, contractor selection, fake billing and commissions. A complaint submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) alleged that, Badrul accumulated assets worth hundreds of crores of taka through dummy contracting firms, transfer trading and other irregularities.

According to the complaints, Badrul exercised considerable influence within the PWD and maintained a network of preferred contractors. His first wife, Jasmin, has also alleged that, he operated businesses and industrial enterprises through relatives in violation of government service rules.

The allegations further claimed that, he used personal relationships with women to blackmail several departmental officials and extract large sums of money, and later allegedly blackmailed some of the women involved. Audio and video clips relating to the allegations have circulated online, while complaints have reportedly been submitted to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and the ACC.

The complaints also alleged that, Badrul helped facilitate the appointment of PWD Chief Engineer Khalequzzaman Chowdhury after the July-August political movement, allegedly in exchange for around Tk 22 crore. Video messages circulating online have made similar claims, although these allegations have not been independently established.

Sources further allege that Badrul changed his political affiliations according to circumstances, at different times presenting himself as a supporter of the Awami League, BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and July movement activists. He also reportedly claimed familial connections with several political leaders and senior officials.

On February 3 last year, a Ministry of Housing and Public Works notification transferred him to Dhaka PWD Circle-1. According to allegations, former Secretary Nazrul Islam had recommended Superintending Engineer Osman Gani for the post, but Badrul allegedly used political influence and paid Tk 50 lakh to lobby for the position.

Local reports further alleged that on the night of February 10, a vehicle carrying Tk 1 crore was sent from Purta Bhaban through a red vehicle belonging to the Savar Circle to a political leader as election support, allegedly in anticipation of a change in government.

An ACC complaint filed last December said Badrul joined the PWD as an Assistant Engineer in 2003 and was subsequently promoted to Sub-Divisional Engineer.

The complaint listed a garment factory in Malibagh in his wife’s name, a six-storey residence in Goran, a garment accessories factory in Ashulia, real-estate interests with his brother, contracting interests under various licences, a Gulshan flat, two flats in his wife’s name, three 10-katha plots in Bashundhara Residential Area and foreign investments among his alleged assets.

Audio and video recordings attributed to a former associate named Misti, who now lives in Australia, have also alleged that, hundreds of crores of taka were transferred to Dubai and other countries through a political activist associated with Shibir. She also alleged that she (Misti) was used to blackmail PWD officials.

During his posting in Bhola from 2014 to 2018, Badrul allegedly formed a syndicate with local political figures and influenced tender allocations for major projects, including a Chief Judicial Magistrate Court building, a 250-bed hospital, police facilities, technical training centres and land registry offices. He has also been accused of taking a 15 percent commission from PWD maintenance contracts there.

Further allegations concern his transfer to Mymensingh in 2020 and subsequent posting as Superintending Engineer of Chattogram Circle-1, where he was accused of financial irregularities in projects involving multi-storey residential buildings for government employees.

Contractors have alleged that a syndicate linked to Bhola, Chattogram, Brahmanbaria and Cumilla remains active within the PWD. Other complaints cite alleged irregularities in tenders for arboriculture work at the Mirpur Paikpara residential project and attempts to influence contractor selection for the Bhasantek police station project.

The ACC complaint has called for a comprehensive investigation into Badrul’s assets, income sources, family members and affiliated businesses. It alleges that more than Tk 122 crore was generated illegally in recent months through tender control, transfer trading and project commissions, with money allegedly transferred to relatives to conceal ownership.

Jasmin, Badrul’s first wife, has publicly alleged that she suffered severe neglect during their 25-year marriage and that their three daughters experienced emotional hardship. She also confirmed allegations concerning his second marriage and relationships with other women, saying relevant audio, video and documents had been submitted to the ACC.

She said she had filed complaints with the Housing and Public Works Secretary and the PWD Chief Engineer seeking investigations, but alleged that no action had been taken.

Repeated attempts to contact Mohammad Badrul Alam Khan for comment were unsuccessful.

Governance experts say allegations of this nature highlight concerns over institutional accountability and public procurement, and have called for stronger administrative oversight and comprehensive reforms to ensure transparency in government agencies.