NN Online Report
A fraud case has been filed against the owners and several key officials involved in the expansion project of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, raising fresh concerns over alleged irregularities in one of Bangladesh’s most high-profile infrastructure projects.
The expansion project, originally contracted to Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi Corporation and South Korea’s Samsung C&T Corporation involved various subcontractors for local implementation. One of these firms, Pleiades Construction and Consulting Limited, is now at the center of a legal and financial controversy.
According to court documents, a fraud case (Case No. 1749/25) was filed at the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court on March 9, 2025, against several individuals, including senior project officials from the main contractors and former project managers.
Allegations at a Glance
The case alleges that Pleiades Construction had entered into a formal agreement with Mitsubishi and Samsung for specific structural works, including “floor ramp basement screening and hardener application (15mm thick),” on official stamped paper worth BDT 300.
Despite employing 33 staff across various categories for over four years—with monthly salary expenses exceeding BDT 2 million—Pleiades claims it never received due compensation or formal confirmation of contract execution. Additionally, a performance guarantee commission amounting to BDT 92.5 million annually was allegedly bypassed, with the work being handed over to another company without the requisite performance guarantee deposit.
Statements from Stakeholders
Zubair Akhter Chowdhury, Managing Director of Pleiades Construction, said: “We are demanding financial compensation because the agreed work was never formally awarded to us. We were ready to fulfill our obligations, including performance guarantee deposits.”
Sayem Chowdhury, Central Manager for Samsung, stated: “If Pleiades had issued a timely notice, perhaps the matter could have been resolved. But the delay and operational gaps over four years complicated the situation. I cannot provide further comment as the matter is now under official scrutiny.”
Accused Individuals
The following individuals have been named as accused in the case, with summons already issued:
- Yuyok Young – Central Manager, Shahjalal Airport Expansion Project
- Hisok Kim – Cost Control Manager
- Mohammad Sayem Chowdhury – Central Manager
- Kyungsu Kang – Former Project Manager
- Yangquan Choi – Divisional Project Manager
Wider Corruption Investigation Underway
The case comes amid a broader investigation into corruption in the procurement process for electrical and mechanical equipment at the airport. A parliamentary sub-committee has been formed to probe allegations related to the purchase of:
- Elevators
- Electrical cables and switches
- Valves
- Generators
- Transformers
- Escalators
- Baggage scanning machines
The sub-committee includes Members of Parliament Anwar Hossain Khan, Sheikh Tanmoy, and Syeda Rubina Akhter.
“This is a matter of national interest. We will ensure transparency in the procurement and delivery of every component of the airport expansion,” said a member of the committee, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the investigation.
Project under Scrutiny
The Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport expansion is a flagship infrastructure initiative aimed at modernizing Bangladesh’s primary aviation hub. With increasing concerns over contract execution, cost control, and alleged favoritism in subcontracting, the unfolding scandal may have broader implications for international partnerships and public trust.
As the legal proceedings and investigation continue, stakeholders await further revelations in what is shaping up to be a major test of accountability in public infrastructure procurement.
