BSS
  09 Sep 2026, 19:07

ACC finds evidence of Tk 6.32cr embezzlement in SC record building project

File photo

DHAKA, Sept 9, 2026 (BSS) - The ACC has found primary evidence of embezzlement of Taka 6.32 crore by splitting of packages, e-GP tendering and payment of bills for work that had no physical existence in a project to construct a record building for the Bangladesh Supreme Court (SC).

An enforcement team from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) headquarters conducted a raid at the Public Works Department (PWD) Division-4 in Dhaka today, questioning officials concerned and collecting relevant documents. Following a review of the documents and an on-site inspection, the team found preliminary evidence supporting the allegations.

ACC Public Relations Division Assistant Director Md Tanzir Ahmed told BSS about the findings.

According to the ACC, a work order for the only package, approved by the Central Procurement Technical Unit under the “Non-Residential Building” component of the capital portion of the “Construction of Record Building for the Supreme Court (1st Revised)” project was awarded to National Development Engineers Ltd (NDEL) on November 16, 2023, at a cost of Taka 1,557.04 crore.

 However, without approval from the Development Project Proposal (DPP), Revised Development Project Proposal (RDPP) or the Head of Procuring Entity, eight additional packages were created under the same component during the 2023-24 fiscal year and work orders were issued to different contractors through the e-GP system.

A total of Taka 6,31,97,000 was paid in bills against these packages. During the enforcement team's on-site inspection, no physical evidence of work was found for four of the eight packages-Packages 4, 5, 6 and 7. The team also found no contracts or measurement books relating to the contractors engaged for those works.

On the other hand, while physical evidence of work under Packages 1, 2, 3 and 8 was found, a report by the Executive Engineer of PWD Division-4 stated that the works had essentially been carried out by NDEL.

The ACC report said it had preliminarily appeared that the original package had been unlawfully divided into eight packages, tenders were invited through the e-GP system and payments were made in most cases despite the absence of any actual work at the sites, causing financial loss to the government and resulting in the embezzlement of public funds.

The enforcement report primarily held the then Executive Engineer of the PWD Division-4 Md Saifuzzaman, responsible for the irregularities. However, the team was unable to obtain his statement or explanation.

The ACC will submit an enforcement report recommending a detailed inquiry to determine the responsibilities of other officials concerned, the actual amount of financial loss and the specific details of the alleged embezzlement.