ACC Files Two Cases Against Five KCC Officials

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed two cases against five officials of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) over the alleged embezzlement of Tk 3,421,115 from its trade licence branch and the disappearance of 11 licence books containing revenue collection records for the 2016–17 fiscal year.

The cases were filed at the ACC’s Khulna Integrated District Office on Tuesday (October 27). ACC Assistant Deputy Director Md Ashikur Rahman filed the cases as the complainant.

The first case names KCC Licence Inspector Md Habibur Rahman, 43, Senior Licence Officer Faruk Hossain Talukder, 55, and Accounts Department Cashier Sanjib Kumar Saha, 39, as accused.

According to the first information report (FIR), Licence Inspector Habibur Rahman allegedly embezzled Tk 3,421,115 collected by the KCC trade licence branch. The FIR states that the money was returned during the 2017–18, 2018–19 and 2019–20 fiscal years after a KCC audit and investigation uncovered the alleged embezzlement.

The FIR further alleges that Senior Licence Officer Faruk Hossain Talukder failed to properly supervise subordinate licence inspectors and neglected his duties. Cashier Sanjib Kumar Saha has been accused of failing to maintain proper accounts when receiving revenue payments and embezzling money in collusion with others. Faruk Hossain is currently under suspension.

The second case names four KCC licence inspectors, Habibur Rahman, Monirul Islam, 59, Sheikh Shahed Hasan, 40, and Kazi Manjur-ul-Alam, 42, as accused. Senior Licence Officer Faruk Hossain Talukder has also been named in the case.

According to the ACC’s FIR, 11 licence books containing records of revenue collected by the KCC trade licence branch during the 2016–17 fiscal year went missing. The four licence inspectors have been accused of removing the books through criminal breach of trust with the intention of destroying evidence related to the alleged offence.

Faruk Hossain Talukder has also been accused of neglecting his supervisory responsibilities and colluding with subordinate officials to facilitate the alleged embezzlement. Monirul Islam and Kazi Manjur-ul-Alam are currently serving as conservancy supervisors at the KCC.

According to the ACC’s FIR, the first case was filed under Sections 409, 401 and 109 of the Penal Code and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The second case was filed under Sections 409, 201 and 109 of the Penal Code and Section 5(2) of the same Act.