Staff Reporter :
There has been no progress in the post-investigation proceedings by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against Molla Rezaul Karim, Conservator of Forests (CF) in Chattogram, who faces serious allegations of corruption. Accusations include financial misconduct in staff transfers, afforestation, development projects, and operating a syndicate involved in extortion in the Chattogram region.
Sources reveal that 13 separate allegations have been investigated, and evidence of corruption and embezzlement was found. Consequently, a letter was sent to the ACC’s Deputy Director (Enforcement) seeking permission for an open investigation.
However, despite two and a half months having passed, no visible action has been taken, sparking internal speculation that Karim may have “managed” the ACC.
On February 24, a team from the ACC’s Integrated District Office in Chattogram-1, led by Assistant Director Saeed Muhammad Imran, raided Karim’s office. Imran confirmed to journalists that there were specific allegations, including the transfer of 77 employees in one day (January 9), allegedly involving bribes totaling approximately BDT 100 million.
Karim, who joined the Chattogram office in September, was interrogated for three hours. Further allegations involve his tenure as Divisional Forest Officer in Feni, where BDT 23.1 million was allegedly embezzled from a plantation project. He was also accused of misusing government vehicles for personal use, regularly traveling to his home in Satkhira without authorization, confirmed via social media evidence from his government driver.
The ACC has concluded that the preliminary findings support all 13 allegations and has recommended an open investigation. ACC Deputy Director (Enforcement) Tanzir Hasib Sarkar confirmed that the enforcement report has been submitted and that the Commission will determine further actions.
The ACC team, which included Deputy Assistant Director Apel Mahmud and Assistant Inspector Kamal Chakraborty, found irregularities during the raid and requested further documentation-yet many of these remain unsubmitted. Investigations found the January 9 mass transfers violated the Forest Department’s Transfer Policy (2004), with junior employees moved while loyal individuals were retained. Intelligence sources suggest large-scale bribery in the process.
Karim, during his time as Director of the Chattogram Forest Academy, allegedly embezzled funds from a BDT 50 million development project by awarding it to a favored contractor. The ACC has recommended an open investigation into this matter. He is also accused of illegally demolishing the academy’s dormitory and constructing a personal residence using state funds under the guise of beautification-without following legal procedures. These violations fall under Section 26 of the Forest Act, 1927.
Additional allegations include the illegal sale of teak plantations in Kaptai during training sessions, issuing unauthorized “Jote Permits” in Bandarban in exchange for bribes, and undervaluing auction prices of social forestry timber lots in Jashore to facilitate corruption.
In Feni, his claim of planting 100,000 saplings was disproven by a survey that found none had survived. Although he insists the matter was resolved, he could not provide documentary evidence.
