Ex-mayor of Patuakhali, 5 others sued for embezzling funds meant for constructing auditorium

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against the former mayor of Patuakhali municipality, Dr Shafiqul Islam, and five others over allegations of embezzling the funds allocated for constructing an auditorium.

Assistant Director of ACC's Patuakhali Co-ordinated Office Rasel Rony lodged the case as plaintiff on Thursday (22 August).

The accused in the case are- former mayor Dr Md Shafiqul Islam, Contractor Shafiqur Rahman, former executive engineer of the municipality Abdul Halim, former assistant engineer Alok Samaddar, former sub-assistant engineer Niazur Rahman and former accountant ASM Shahin.

According to case documents, the municipality made a deal with contractor Shafiqur Rahman in fiscal year 2015-16 for 18 months with a cost of Tk6.33 crore for constructing the auditorium.

Although it took Tk3.58 crore to finish the project, Tk5.3 crore was shown as paid to the contractor by the municipality authority, the documents said.

"The contracting agency has embezzled Tk1.52 crore without spending the money. As a result, a corruption case has been filed against the accused under section 409/109 of the penal code and section 5(2) of the Corruption Prevention Act of 1974," said the case document.

Former mayor Shafiqul said, "The case is a departmental action by ACC. A vested quarter is currently running and renting the auditorium. They are trying to tarnish my image through this case."

When asked about the case proceedings, ACC official Rony said, "We've measured the auditorium by officials from the Public Works Department and found that Tk1.52 crore has been embezzled while constructing it. Legal actions will be taken against the accused in due time."