Muktijoddha Kalyan Trust: JS body finds proof of ex-MD’s corruption
A parliamentary sub-committee has found allegations of corruption against former managing director of Muktijoddha Kalyan Trust Iftekharul Islam Khan to be true.
According to the sub-committee's investigation report, Iftekhar's financial dealings, abuse of power and violation of rules have been clearly proven.
The parliamentary standing committee on the Liberation War affairs ministry, based on findings of the sub-committee, recommended taking departmental and legal actions against Iftekharul, who is now living a retired life.
According to sources, then additional secretary Iftekharul was appointed as MD of Muktijoddha Kalyan Trust in 2018. He held this position till December 7, 2020.
On October 22, 2020, the parliamentary watchdog formed the sub-committee to investigate the allegations of corruption and irregularities.
There were five written complaints against him with the watchdog.
During investigation, the sub-committee also found involvement of former deputy general manager of the trust Sirajul Islam in different instances of irregularities.
Shajahan Khan, chief of the parliamentary watchdog, was convener of the three-member sub-committee. Two other members are Jatiya Party MP Kazi Firoz Rashid and Awami League MP Moslem Uddin Ahmed.
The sub-committee submitted its report before the parliamentary body in March.
Later in July, Sirajul Islam submitted a letter before the body, requesting to relieve him from the allegation.
In the letter, Sirajul claimed that he had done everything on the instruction of Iftekharul.
The parliamentary body yesterday recommended to suspend pension and other financial benefits of Sirajul Islam till the investigation against him is disposed of.
According to the investigation report, Iftekharul acted as per his whims without considering government regulations. He did not follow any rules in leasing out trust property.
During investigation, the sub-committee asked Iftekharul to appear before it and explain. But he did not do so, nor did he send any statement before the sub-committee.
The report highlighted several specific allegations against Iftekharul and said that Southeast Metal Industries was the highest bidder for taking lease of two acres of land of Metal Packaging Ltd, owned by Muktijoddha Kalyan Trust, in Chattogram's Nasirabad.
But he leased the land to one of his loyalists by showing the lowest bidder as the highest. The former MD did it for personal gains.
According to the report, financial transactions, abuse of power and violation of rules have been clearly proven in the process of leasing out Purnima Filling Station in Dhaka, without the approval of the trust's executive committee and trustee board.
The report said there is nothing like "gate tender" in the government procurement policy. But Iftekharul leased out seven pieces of the trust's land and 7.25 acres of Tabani Beverage under gate tender.
The sub-committee also revealed that Iftekharul had appointed employees of the trust to serve his son. Iftekharul's son used to work in a private company in Mymensingh. Three employees of Muktijoddha Kalyan Trust were appointed there to work full-time. Tk 16.48 lakh was spent from the trust's funds to pay their salaries and allowances.
Besides, a driver of the trust was employed full-time at Iftekharul's residence and was paid salary from the trust's funds as well.
During the former MD's tenure, his mobile phone bill incurred additional expenses of Tk 11,300. And Tk 83,085 has been spent on additional fuel beyond the allotted amount for his car.
Talking to The Daily Star, Iftekharul yesterday said that findings of the sub-committee are completely false.
Asked why he didn't appear before the sub-committee, he said the sub-committee was not formed maintaining due legal procedures.
Meanwhile, the parliamentary body yesterday in its meeting recommended taking legal actions against private television channel Nagorik TV for publishing news related to the trust.
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