Allegations of Corruption in July Martyrs and Injured Housing Project: ACC Conducts Enforcement Operation

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has conducted an enforcement operation following allegations of misappropriation of government funds by inflating purchase prices multiple times above market rates in the housing project for the families of July martyrs and injured persons.

On Tuesday, July 28, the ACC carried out the enforcement operation from its headquarters. The agency’s Public Relations Officer, Aktarul Islam, confirmed the matter to Dhaka Post. He stated, “An enforcement operation was conducted today in response to allegations of misappropriating government funds by showing purchase prices several times higher than the market rate in the housing project for the families of July martyrs and injured persons.”

According to the ACC, the operation was launched based on allegations that government funds were siphoned off by inflating purchase prices in the housing project. The ACC team visited the Housing and Public Works Department to collect all relevant records related to the project. Additionally, statements were taken from officials involved in the project’s implementation. The ACC stated that the team will thoroughly review the collected records and statements and submit a comprehensive report to the commission. Sources of the allegations revealed that the previous Awami League government initiated the “36 July” housing project under the National Housing Authority to provide quality housing for the families of martyrs from the student-people’s uprising, aiming to help them return to normal life. However, it is alleged that the project is being implemented without following proper regulations. The accusations include purchasing a boundary wall at 45 times the actual cost, bed lifts at four times the market price, substations at five times the cost, and even water pumps at nearly five times the market rate. The allegations further state that abnormal price proposals were made for various project expenses, leading to what has been described as “looting” during the previous government’s tenure, with the same irregularities continuing under the interim government. According to project sources, the government has taken steps to provide over 800 flats free of cost to the families of martyrs from the July uprising. The project, fully funded by the government at an estimated cost of BDT 761.16 crore, is being implemented by the National Housing Authority. In a separate development, the ACC’s Jessore Integrated District Office conducted an operation in Narail Municipality over allegations of irregularities in the establishment of an underground water treatment plant. The investigation found that the plant became inoperative within three months due to the use of substandard equipment, depriving residents of safe drinking water. Preliminary findings confirmed the irregularities.

Additionally, the ACC’s Pirojpur team conducted an undercover investigation at the Mathbaria Upazila Health Complex over allegations of irregularities in service delivery. The team evaluated the quality of food, medicine, and laboratory services provided to patients and collected feedback from service recipients. Detailed reports for both cases are being prepared for submission to the commission.