ACC finds Tk6.32cr embezzlement evidence in SC record building project
The anti-graft agency found that works were split into eight packages without approval, while payments were made for works that had no physical existence.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has found preliminary evidence of alleged embezzlement of around Tk6.32 crore in the construction project of a record building for the Bangladesh Supreme Court.
The anti-graft agency found that several works under the project were split into eight separate packages and put out to tender without the required approvals, while payments were made for works that did not actually exist.
An ACC enforcement team visited the Dhaka Public Works Division-4 office today (9 September), where they reviewed project documents, questioned officials, and carried out an on-site inspection. Md Tanzir Ahmed, assistant director of the ACC's Public Relations Department, confirmed the development.
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According to the ACC, the estimated cost of the "Construction of Record Building for Bangladesh Supreme Court (1st Revised)" project is over Tk2,795.88 crore.
Under the non-residential buildings component of the capital expenditure, the Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU) or the Central Government Procurement Committee (CGPC) had approved only the W-1 package. The Tk1,557.4 crore work order for this package was awarded to National Development Engineers Ltd (NDEL) on 16 November 2023.
However, the ACC found that works under the same component were split into eight additional packages without approval from the Development Project Proposal (DPP), Revised Development Project Proposal (RDPP), or the Head of the Procuring Entity (HOPE).
Work orders for the eight packages were awarded to Kamrul Enterprise, Mimpa Enterprise, RS Enterprise, Gram Bangla, Gomti Enterprise, Rasha Trade International, Karnaphuli Construction, and Shodesh Development.
A total of Tk6,31,38,000 was paid against the eight packages, while the amount appeared as Tk6,31,97,000 in the report of Integrated Budget and Accounting System (iBAS++) according to the ACC.
During its inspection and review of documents, the ACC found no evidence of work under four of the eight packages. These included venue renovation, branding and catering for the inauguration of the construction work, removal of damaged guide walls, master drains, ramps and high-tension cable lines, construction of an approach road, and construction of temporary drains and CI-sheet fencing. The ACC also found no contracts or measurement books with the contractors for these works.
Evidence of work was found for the other four packages, involving construction of a new bakery and canteen beside the Judges Sports Complex at the Supreme Court, installation of temporary triple works, and sand filling for construction of the three basement floors of the Supreme Court Record Building, rainwater drainage, and cleaning of waste and rubbish.
However, an executive engineer's report submitted to the ACC stated that these works were actually carried out by the main contractor, NDEL.
The ACC said it also found evidence supporting the report after reviewing the original contract and measurement books between NDEL and the Public Works Department.
The anti-graft agency further found irregularities in the approval of the Tk1.94 crore approach road package.
Under a Finance Division order issued on 16 January 2015 concerning delegated financial powers, a supervising engineer has the authority to approve tenders valued between Tk1 crore and Tk3 crore.
However, the ACC said the tender for the approach road package appeared to have been approved without the required authorisation from the supervising engineer.
According to the ACC, the civil works under the original W-1 package were split into eight packages in violation of the approved DPP, RDPP, and HOPE regulations. Tenders were subsequently invited through the e-GP system, and payments were made to different contractors.
The commission said preliminary evidence of financial loss to the government and embezzlement was found, particularly because at least four of the packages had no physical evidence of work.
The ACC primarily held the then executive engineer of Dhaka Public Works Division-4, Md Saifuzzaman, responsible for the alleged irregularities.
However, the accused official could not be questioned or provide an explanation during the inspection, the ACC said.
The commission said a detailed inquiry would be necessary to determine the responsibility of other officials and employees involved, establish the actual amount of financial loss and identify the specific circumstances surrounding the alleged embezzlement.
The enforcement report will be submitted to the ACC with a recommendation for a formal inquiry into the matter, the agency said.
