The recent uncovering of assets linked to Motiur Rahman, a former member of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), and his family members has sparked a wave of shock and indignation across Bangladesh. Detailed investigations have revealed a staggering array of properties, investments, and wealth scattered across multiple districts, raising serious questions about the origins of these assets and highlighting potential deep-seated corruption within the government.
The sheer scale of assets connected to Motiur Rahman and his family is astounding. Investigations have so far uncovered ownership of 65 bighas of land, 8 flats, 2 resorts, multiple picnic spots, and 2 industrial establishments. These properties are primarily registered under the names of Motiur’s family members, particularly his first wife, Laila Kaniz Lucky. Laila Kaniz, a college teacher by profession and currently the Chairman of Raipura Upazila Parishad of Narsingdi, as well as the Relief and Social Welfare Affairs Secretary of the District Awami League, appears to be a significant beneficiary of these assets.
This asset information was obtained from the affidavit and income tax statement provided by Laila Kaniz Lucky during our BLiTZ team’s investigation and the upazila elections. According to related sources, Motiur Rahman, being a government official, has registered most of the assets in the names of his family members and relatives.
In her affidavit to the Election Commission, Laila declared ownership of 25.70 bighas of land in Dhaka, Gazipur, Narsingdi, Jessore, and Natore, along with 5 flats and other properties. Notably, four of these flats are located in the same building on Mazar Road, Mirpur, Dhaka. Despite declaring a purchase price of BDT 10.64 million for these flats, real estate experts estimate their actual value to be at least BDT 30.30 million. Additionally, her affidavit revealed ownership of a fish farm and other agricultural lands, the value of which was not fully disclosed.
Laila’s total declared wealth in her income tax return for the 2023-24 tax year is BDT 100.03 million, including BDT 30.56 million in cash and bank deposits, and BDT 10.69 million in profits from the sale of shares in the capital market. This declaration raises critical questions about how a government college teacher amassed such vast wealth.
The family’s opulent lifestyle came into sharp focus during Eid-ul-Azha when Motiur Rahman’s son bought a goat worth BDT 1.2 million, sparking widespread discussion on social media. This extravagant display of wealth coincided with further revelations about Motiur Rahman’s assets, leading to increased public and governmental scrutiny. Following these events, Motiur Rahman was transferred from the NBR to the Internal Resources Department, and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) swiftly formed a three-member committee to investigate the corruption allegations.
Attempts to contact Motiur Rahman and his family have been unsuccessful. Despite using multiple residential addresses in Dhaka, none of the attempts to reach him yielded any results. Local sources reported that Motiur and his family have not been seen in public since the Eid-ul-Azha incident, and he has abstained from attending work. Motiur Rahman was removed from NBR and attached to the Internal Resources Department on Sunday. On the same day, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) announced the formation of a three-member committee to investigate the corruption allegations against Motiur Rahman.
Efforts to reach Laila Kaniz Lucky have also been in vain. Her phone numbers were either switched off or went unanswered. She has not been seen at the Upazila Parishad office since Eid-ul-Azha, further deepening the mystery surrounding their whereabouts.
The investigation has brought to light the substantial holdings of Motiur Rahman and his family. Besides the flats and land, Motiur has significant investments in the capital market and several companies. Notable among these is SK Trims and Industries in Tongi, Gazipur, where shares are held by his second wife, Shammi Akhtar, and their children. Motiur’s involvement in other enterprises, such as Global Shoes Limited and Global Max, has also been uncovered, indicating a complex network of investments and ownerships.
SK Trims and Industries, established in 1998, operates in a 40,000 square feet building. Shares in this company are distributed among Motiur’s second wife Shammi Akhtar, his children from both marriages, and other family members. Similarly, Motiur Rahman is known to be behind the scenes of Global Shoes Limited and Global Max. His daughter, Farzana Rahman, and son, Ahmed Taufiqur Rahman, hold substantial shares in these companies. The vehicle used by Motiur’s second wife is registered under Global Max Packaging, and the car driven by his son is registered under SK Trims, further indicating the family’s deep ties to these enterprises.
In addition to corporate investments, Motiur Rahman has significant real estate holdings. These include a duplex house built for his mother-in-law in Sonapur village of Amirabad Union, Sonagazi Upazila, Feni. This house is maintained by a caretaker and visited by Motiur and his family occasionally.
In Dhaka, Motiur and his wife Laila Kaniz used flat number 501 of house number 384 of 7/A road of Block-D of Bashundhara residential area as their address. However, attempts to visit this address yielded no information as the security guard was instructed not to provide details about the residents.
Motiur Rahman also owns a resort named ‘Apan Bhuban’ in Gazipur, which serves as a picnic and shooting spot. This resort has been in operation for about 12 years and includes 18 cottages, various rides, and numerous facilities. The caretaker of the resort revealed that Motiur Rahman frequented the place, indicating his active involvement in its operations.
Additionally, Motiur Rahman has approximately 38 bighas in Savar and one and a half bighas in Khilgaon Mauza of Gazipur Sadar. His son, Ahmed Taufiqur Rahman, owns a quarter of a bigha of land in Raipura’s Morjal Mauza. These extensive land holdings further underscore the vast wealth accumulated by Motiur Rahman and his family.
The accumulation of such wealth by a government official has sparked outrage and demands for accountability. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), emphasized that the scale of Motiur Rahman’s assets is inconsistent with the legitimate income of a government employee, suggesting deep-seated corruption and irregularities. The ACC’s involvement marks a significant step towards addressing these allegations, although the road to uncovering the full extent of the corruption and bringing those responsible to justice remains challenging.
The case of Motiur Rahman is a stark reminder of the pervasive corruption that can infiltrate government institutions. The vast wealth amassed by him and his family members underscores the need for rigorous oversight and transparency in public office. As the investigation unfolds, it is crucial for the authorities to ensure a thorough and impartial examination of the allegations and take appropriate actions to restore public trust in the integrity of governmental operations. The public and legal responses to this scandal will be critical in setting a precedent for accountability and the rule of law in Bangladesh.
This unfolding saga of Motiur Rahman’s wealth accumulation highlights the urgent need for systemic reforms to prevent corruption and promote transparency. The coming days will reveal how effectively the authorities address these issues and whether they can restore faith in the country’s governance systems.
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