The case of alleged harassment against two engineers from BDIC in Natore has stirred up a storm of controversy and legal proceedings. The district correspondent of a leading news outlet reported that the chief engineer, Mr. Sazzad Hossain, and his assistant engineer, Mr. Ziaur Rahman, are facing accusations of coercion and financial fraud in relation to the construction of an irrigation pump in Boraigram, Natore, under the small irrigation department of the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BDIC).
The incident came to light when a local farmer, Mr. Rashidul Islam, from Shrirampur village in Boraigram, filed a complaint at the Boraigram Adalat on Tuesday, January 28th. The presiding judge, Mr. Tauhidur Rahman Sumon, has directed the district detective police (DB-Os) to conduct an investigation into the matter after the conclusion of the witness testimonies.
According to the plaintiff’s lawyer, Mr. Ainal Haque, the allegations involve the defendants’ refusal to install an irrigation pump on the plaintiff’s agricultural land as part of a government-sanctioned irrigation project. The plaintiff claims to have approached the BDIC officials multiple times, requesting the installation of the pump, for which they had been paid 370,000 taka. However, instead of fulfilling their obligation, the engineers allegedly accepted bribes and installed the pump in a different location under the name of a fictitious manager, Shubh Islam, who does not own any land.
Days later, Mr. Rashidul Islam demanded the return of the money from the engineers, but they refused to comply. The plaintiff claims to have evidence and witnesses to support his allegations of malpractice and fraud in this matter.
In response to these allegations, Mr. Sazzad Hossain, the chief engineer in charge of the BDIC small irrigation department in Natore, acknowledged the existence of the case but denied any wrongdoing on his part. He stated that he is not familiar with the plaintiff and has no involvement in any irregularities. He expressed confidence that a thorough investigation will clear up any misunderstandings surrounding the incident.
For further information on this case, attempts were made to contact Mr. Hasibullah, the senior DB-Os officer in Natore, but he could not be reached for comment at this time.
As the legal battle unfolds, it remains to be seen how this case will impact the reputation of the BDIC engineers involved and what consequences they may face if found guilty of the alleged charges. The truth behind these troubling accusations will only be revealed through a comprehensive investigation that considers all perspectives and evidence presented in court.
In the meantime, the local community in Natore is left to ponder the implications of this case and how it reflects on the integrity of public officials tasked with overseeing vital infrastructure projects that impact the lives of ordinary citizens. The outcome of this legal battle will undoubtedly shape public perceptions of accountability and transparency within the engineering sector in Bangladesh.
