ACC files case against ex-MP Ruhel over alleged railway land grab in Chattogram

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against Mahboob Rahman Ruhel, a former Awami League MP for Chattogram-1 (Mirsharai), over the alleged illegal occupation of more than 2.5 acres of Bangladesh Railway land in Chattogram and the embezzlement of a large sum of government revenue.

ACC Assistant Director Tafsir Billah filed the case as plaintiff yesterday (19 October) at the ACC's Integrated District Office, Chattogram-2, accusing the former lawmaker of abusing power and breaching estate management policy by building a factory and other structures on the land. 

According to the case statement, Ruhel applied on 18 September 2016 for a long-term lease on 3.7564 acres of railway land in West Hingguli mouza, Mirsharai upazila, to set up an eco-friendly cement, sand and hollow block factory.

However, the case says, he occupied the land illegally before lease approval and began building a 6,489-square-foot semi-concrete factory and a 990-square-foot two-storey office building. 

He is also accused of taking over land leased to other people for farming and fish cultivation, and of filling in a pond on plot BS 5120.

The case further alleges that in 2017, the estate management policy was relaxed on the instruction of the then railways minister, and Ruhel's Gasmin Limited was leased 0.74 acres (32,130 square feet) of land on an annual renewal basis.

Citing an on-site ACC investigation, the case documents say Ruhel occupied a total of 2.28 acres (228 decimals) on plots BS 5119 and 5120, against the approved 0.74 acres, and used it for commercial purposes. The occupied land contains a factory, office rooms, a mosque, an ablution area, a large field for storing and drying blocks and a water tank.

From 1 January 2017 to 30 June 2025, a total of Tk44,95,529, including VAT and income tax, was paid in lease fees for the approved 0.74 acres.

For the 2.28 acres actually occupied, however, the government was owed Tk1,57,31,646. 

As a result, the ACC accuses Ruhel of illegally occupying an additional 154 decimals and evading and embezzling Tk1,12,36,117 in government revenue.

The case covers the period from 26 December 2016 to 30 June 2025. Ruhel faces charges of criminal breach of trust, fraud, causing damage and illegal possession.

The case statement also says legal action will be taken against anyone else found to be involved during the investigation.