'DC appointments and the Tk3cr cheque': Committee formed to probe allegations

Photo: Kalbela

The government has formed a committee to investigate the authenticity of a Tk3 crore cheque found in the office of Ziauddin Ahmed, joint secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, who has been linked to irregularities in the appointment of deputy commissioners in a recent media report.

The committee will be led by Additional Secretary Rezaul Maqsud Zahedi, with Senior Assistant Secretary KM Yasir Arafat assisting him. They are expected to submit a report to the ministry's senior secretary within three days after verifying the cheque's authenticity.

Following a report, published in the Bangla daily Kalbela, titled "DC's appointment through a cash cheque of Tk3 crore" today, the ministry issued a notification regarding the formation of the committee.

The report sheds light on ongoing allegations of corruption in the interim government's appointment of DCs.

The Tk3 crore cheque was reportedly issued by businessman Md Mirza Sabed Ali from the Lakshmibazar sub-branch of Padma Bank on behalf of Md Abdul Awal, who was appointed as the DC of Naogaon.

However, the DC did not deposit the cheque because he was not assigned to the desired district. This situation has placed the businessman under scrutiny, prompting investigations from several intelligence agencies.

The Kalbela report highlights significant financial corruption associated with this round of DC appointments, with money exchanges allegedly occurring even before the shortlist of candidates was finalised. Two joint secretaries from the public administration ministry are involved in the scandal.

Along with the cheque, investigators uncovered a photocopy of the cheque issuer's National ID, relevant appointment documents, and notes indicating financial transactions related to the DC appointments.

These notes listed five officials along with their desired postings, many of whom appeared on the shortlist and were eventually appointed as DCs. Furthermore, reports indicate that cheques totalling Tk15 crore were collected from five DC aspirants