Barguna sub-divisional engr arrested by ACC

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday arrested Shamsul Shahriar Bhuiyan, the sub-divisional engineer of Road and Highways Department in Barguna, for allegedly taking Tk 14.5 lakh bribe from contractors.

Later, the anti-graft watchdog also filed a graft case against the official with Barguna Model Police Station.

Acting on a tip-off, ACC officials conducted a drive and recovered Tk 14.5 lakh from an almirah in Shamsul's bedroom, next to his office.

“We had information that he sanctioned a cheque of Tk 6 crore to a contractor a few days ago,” said Jahangir Alam Bhuiyan, Deputy Director of ACC.

The money has been paid for the part of the project which has been finished and also for the portion which is yet to be completed, the ACC official said adding, “Shahriar demanded Tk 15 lakh from the contractor as bribe.”

The Deputy Director however declined to reveal the name of the contractor, the construction firm and the project for which the cheque was issued. 

Jahangir was informed yesterday that the contractor have already given the bribe to Shamsul yesterday, he added.

After informing the matter to the ACC headquarters, he sought permission to conduct a raid at the engineer's office which was instantly granted.