The graft engineering of a Public Works engineer
Md Saifuz Zaman Chunnu, who joined the Public Works Department (PWD) in 2012, has allegedly established a realm of corruption over the past decade, amassing a fortune worth hundreds of crores.
Currently serving as the executive engineer of PWD's Faridpur Division, Chunnu faces serious allegations, including illegally awarding contracts to favoured contractors and exerting dominance in local land dealings.
His colleagues allege that Chunnu has rapidly acquired wealth through various corrupt practices, forming a syndicate in PWD. One of his preferred contractors was Hasan Molla, notorious for firing on students during the July protests.
Besides, residents of his village say Chunnu unlawfully seized land to create two brick kilns in Kamlapur, Patuakhali, in violation of environmental laws, while maintaining numerous properties under various names.
There are also allegations that his father, Abdus Salam Mridha, spent crores to become chairman of the Kamalapur Union Parishad, with claims of bribing Awami League leaders.
On 2 September, a local of his home area submitted a complaint to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), urging an investigation into Chunnu's alleged corruption amounting to Tk2,000 crore.
An ACC official confirmed this, and on the condition of anonymity, told TBS, "We have received complaints regarding Chunnu. We are currently reviewing the allegations, and details will be shared once an investigation is initiated."
This correspondent also obtained a copy of the complaint.
Despite these serious allegations, Chunnu was transferred from the Dhaka PWD Division–4 to Faridpur on 17 September, just two months after a previous reassignment.
TBS investigation has found that Chunnu's amassed wealth includes two brickfields named Al Nahian and New Nahian in Patuakhali Sadar, a two-storey house on Patuakhali College Road, and at least 10 acres of land in his home area of South Dharandi village of Kamalapur Union.
He also owns a garment showroom named Nexus in Patuakhali, a 10-katha plot in Savar, and two flats on Central Road and Bailey Road in Dhaka. In addition, he possesses numerous other assets registered under various names.
Hasibul Islam, a resident of Chunnu's village in Dharandi, told TBS, "Chunnu's family had nothing. Over the past 15 years, during the Awami League's rule, they've become incredibly wealthy. Chunnu built a college in front of his house and used it to influence local elections."
Locals have also said that after the fall of the previous government, Chunnu sent his sister and brother-in-law, Zobair Hossain Russell, to Canada, allegedly using them to facilitate the transfer of dollars abroad.
Russell contested in parliamentary elections from the BNF in Baufal, Patuakhali, and previously served as a secretary for the Patuakhali Swechchaasebak League.
Chunnu denies all the allegations, claiming that they are part of a conspiracy to frame him.
He told TBS, "None of the claims being made are true. The brickfields, houses, and land are all inherited property."
Regarding his father's chairmanship, he said, "My father has contested seven elections and is a leader of the BNP, serving as the union president and the district vice president. People elected him chairman out of their affection for him."
He did not comment on the allegations of sending his sister and brother-in-law to Canada.
His brother-in-law could not be contacted while locals say fled after the fall of Hasina government.
Connection with Molla
On 16 July, during the student protests, a helmeted individual was seen firing directly at students at Dhaka University. The person was later identified as contractor Hasan Molla. Following the fall of the previous government, Molla went into hiding.
Several PWD officials said a collaboration between Chunnu and Hasan Molla began while Chunnu was working in Dhaka Division-4.
Molla, a local from Gopalganj with close ties to the Awami League, helped cover up Chunnu's misdeeds in exchange for lucrative contracts, they said. Despite often failing to deliver on projects, Chunnu ensured Hasan received payments, which they then split.
A PWD engineer told TBS that while in Division-4, Chunnu assigned Molla the maintenance work for Mugda Hospital.
"Although payments were made, the work remains incomplete. Molla was also given projects from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, yet those too were not properly executed. Despite the lack of progress, there were no issues with bill payments for Molla," he added.
PWD sources said Molla, as the general secretary of the Dhaka PWD Contractors Association, has embezzled millions in public funds with the complicity of local officials. Names of several other implicated officials have also emerged, leading to ongoing investigations.
Regarding Molla, Chunnu said, "I was only there [Division-4] for one year, while Hasan Mollah has been there for 15 years. How could I be part of a syndicate with him? A group is spreading these falsehoods against me; everything they say is untrue."
Complaints at PWD
Chunnu is alleged to have built an extensive network of corruption within the PWD, allegedly amassing illegal assets worth hundreds of crores through various forms of misconduct, including recruitment, transfers, tender manipulation, and embezzling funds for projects that were never completed.
While serving as the executive engineer of the Mirpur Division, Chunnu awarded a contract to a construction firm to renovate the PWD Training Center (Old) in Mirpur, as per documents obtained by TBS.
However, on 23 August of last year, the Ministry of Housing and Public Works received complaints of embezzlement and irregularities, as no work had been completed despite the allocated funds for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
In 2022, while still in the Mirpur Division, Chunnu received Tk12 crore for 176 work requests. There are allegations that due to the relatively new condition of most buildings in the residential area, he found limited opportunities to utilise these funds, allegedly embezzling a significant portion instead.