Special Correspondent:

Despite holding a senior government position, serious allegations of corruption, irregularities, and personal misconduct—including extortion and criminal fraud—have emerged against a top official of the Public Works Department (PWD), leaving many stunned by the scale of the alleged offenses.

The official at the center of the controversy is Mohammad Badrul Alam Khan, a Superintending Engineer (SE/Civil) of PWD Circle-1 who was recently made an Officer on Special Duty (OSD). Reports suggest he ran an arbitrary reign of influence across both his personal and professional life.

According to multiple formal complaints, audio-video clips, social media disclosures, and news reports, Badrul accumulated vast fortunes through abuse of power and financial irregularities under the patronization of PWD Chief Engineer Khalequzzaman Chowdhury. Leveraging his influence over government projects, he allegedly acquired assets worth hundreds of crores of taka. Following the recent political transformations, he altered his political alignment to retain control over recruitment, transfers, promotions, and contractor selection for work within the department.

Reports indicate that upon taking charge as Superintending Engineer (Civil) at PWD Circle-1, Badrul established a powerful syndicate of preferred contractors to control the bidding process. He has allegedly operated contracting businesses using the names of relatives for years. His first wife, Jasmin, further alleged that he ran business and industrial enterprises in direct violation of government service rules.

Beyond financial misconduct, allegations indicate that he engaged in extra-marital affairs with multiple women. Using promises and romantic traps, he reportedly utilized these women to blackmail several departmental officials, extracting crores of taka. Victims also alleged that he eventually blackmailed the women involved.

Leaked audio and video clips detailing his actions have circulated on social media, while multiple written complaints have been submitted to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). In response, Badrul has reportedly initiated lobby efforts and media management to suppress the allegations.

Catalog of Misconduct and Financial Irregularities:

An officer from the 21st BCS Cadre, Badrul Alam Khan was made OSD while serving in the crucial role of Superintending Engineer (Civil) at Dhaka PWD Circle-1 following allegations of wide-ranging corruption.

Complaints allege that, Badrul effectively controlled departmental operations behind the scenes. Video messages circulating online claim that following the July-August political movement, he facilitated Khalequzzaman’s appointment as Chief Engineer in exchange for an estimated Tk 22 crore bribe, effectively leaving the Chief Engineer beholden to his decisions.

Sources allege that, Badrul strategically reshaped his political identity over time—alternately identifying as a supporter of the Awami League, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, or the July movement activists, depending on the circumstances. He frequently claimed familial ties with political leaders and high-ranking officials. In the past, he presented himself as a nephew of former Chief Engineer Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, a grandson of former Minister Tofail Ahmed, and a nephew of former Minister R.A.M. Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury. Recently, he reportedly claimed to be a close relative of Housing and Public Works Secretary Nazrul Islam. Colleagues report he frequently boasted about placing Chief Engineer Khalequzzaman in his current post.

On February 3 last year, an official notification from Branch-7 of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works transferred him to Dhaka PWD Circle-1. Although, former Secretary Nazrul Islam had recommended Superintending Engineer Osman Gani for the post, Badrul reportedly used a political leader—backed by a Tk 50 lakh bribe—to lobby the then Housing and Public Works Advisor to override the decision.

Local reports suggest that on the night of February 10, Badrul dispatched a car carrying Tk 1 crore from ‘Purta Bhaban’ via a red vehicle belonging to the Savar Circle to the political leader as election support, anticipating a change in government.

According to a complaint lodged with the ACC last December, Badrul joined the PWD as an Assistant Engineer in 2003 before being promoted to Sub-Divisional Engineer (SDE).

Over his tenure, he reportedly accumulated hundreds of crores of taka through dummy contracting firms, transfer trading, and fake billing.

His alleged ill-gotten assets include a garment factory in Malibagh in his wife’s name, a 6-story luxury residence in Goran (Khilgaon), a garment accessories factory in Ashulia, real estate partnerships with his brother, indirect contracting interests held under various licenses, a luxury flat in Gulshan in his name, two flats in his wife’s name, three 10-katha plots in the Bashundhara Residential Area, and various foreign investments. Furthermore, audio and video clips from a former associate (fiancée/girlfriend) claim, he laundered hundreds of crores of taka to Dubai and other international destinations through a political activist of Shibir. The associate, who currently resides in Australia, also alleged she was used to blackmail department officials out of large sums.

Service records show that, during the Awami League’s second term, Badrul leveraged political ties to secure a lucrative posting in Bhola in 2014. From 2014 to 2018, he allegedly formed a syndicate alongside local political figures.

During this period, his network reportedly controlled tender allocations for major public works, including the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court building, a 250-bed hospital, new police station facilities, technical training centers (TTC), and land registry offices, deriving significant commissions. He is also accused of embezzling funds by extracting a 15 percent commission on Bhola PWD maintenance contracts.

According to allegations, during the Awami League government’s tenure, he secured a transfer to Mymensingh in 2020 by paying a substantial sum and having former minister Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury lobby State Minister Sharif Ahmed on his behalf. Subsequently, while serving as the Superintending Engineer of the Chattogram Circle-1 of the Public Works Department, he misappropriated several crores of taka through widespread irregularities and corruption in a project involving the construction of multi-story residential buildings for government employees.

Contractors report that a syndicate connected to Bhola, Chittagong, Brahmanbaria, and Comilla remains active within the PWD.

Additional complaints cite irregularities in issuing tenders for arboriculture work at the Mirpur Paikpara residential project through unapproved divisions, as well as pressure applied to influence contractor selection for the Bhasantek police station project.

The submission to the ACC calls for a comprehensive investigation into the financial sources of Badrul Alam Khan, his family members, and affiliated business entities.

Complainants argue that, his ownership of multiple plots, flats, luxury rural estates, farmhouses, bank accounts, and commercial investments far exceeds his known legal sources of income. The complaint requests scrutiny over asset transfers to siblings, involvement in real estate development, and undisclosed assets in tax filings.

The complainants further allege that, over Tk 122 crore was illegally generated in recent months through tender control, transfer trading, and project commissions, with funds systematically transferred to relatives to conceal ownership.

Badrul’s first wife, Mrs. Jasmin, publicly alleged that, she suffered severe neglect during their 25-year marriage life, during which they raised three daughters. She stated that, his inhumane attitudes led to significant emotional hardship for their youngest daughter.

Mrs. Jasmin also confirmed allegations regarding his second marriage and relationships with multiple women, noting that relevant audio clips, video evidence, and documentation have been submitted to the ACC.

She stated that she filed formal complaints seeking an investigation with both the Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and the Chief Engineer of PWD, but alleged that no action has been taken to date.

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

Governance experts note that systemic impunity and a lack of political oversight allow such institutional irregularities to persist, warning that comprehensive administrative reforms are necessary to restore integrity to public sector procurement.