Former Khulna District Council CEO accused of corruption

Khulna Bureau :

Serious allegations of widespread corruption and embezzlement of crores of taka have been raised against former Chairman of Khulna District Council Md. Harunur Rashid and former CEO Md. Reza Rashid.

In a written complaint sent to the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), SM Nurul Islam (Babul), a resident of Rupsha Upazila of Khulna, has presented detailed information about these irregularities and corruption.

The charge sheet states that during their tenure from November 19, 2023 to December 2, 2024, the two officials irregularly withdrew and embezzled crores of taka from various allocations and funds of Khulna District Council.

The complaint states that about 3 crore taka, almost 6 times more than the budget allocation in the name of financial grants, was distributed in the names of various individuals, most of which were cheque account holders, but were ‘opened’ under the joint signature of the two officials and withdrawn in cash.

In addition, the complaint also mentions that multiple cheques worth Tk 2.50 lakh were issued by account holders in the name of fake projects and ‘opened’ under joint signatures and the money was withdrawn directly from the bank and embezzled.

The complaint further states that these funds were withdrawn from the Zilla Parishad’s NSD account at Sonali Bank Limited, Khulna Corporate Branch.

Later, when the bank authorities stopped disbursing the money due to financial irregularities, a new account was opened at Janata Bank, Jessore Road branch without the approval of the ministry, which is against the rules set by the Local Government Department.

The complainant claims that Tk 13.5 crore received from the Zilla Parishad’s Development Fund (ADP) was transferred and kept in a risky Union Bank, where the officer and the Parishad chairman put government money at risk in exchange for financial benefits.

Currently, the bank is financially distressed and the chances of getting the money back are slim.

The charge sheet states that important documents were destroyed in the fire at the Zilla Parishad building on August 5, 2024, but the truth of the corruption can only be revealed by reviewing the check vouchers and account documents of the banks concerned.

Complainant SM Nurul Islam has requested that legal action be taken against those involved subject to immediate investigation.

Locals say that transparency in the use of government funds and strict monitoring of the proper use of public money are necessary.