Former Banshkhali mayor sued over approval of 174 building plans in violation of government directives

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against former Banshkhali Municipality Mayor S. M. Tofail Bin Hossain for allegedly approving designs of 174 buildings without the recommendation of the designated committee, violating government directives.

The case was filed on Sunday (November 1) by ACC Deputy Assistant Director Tapchhir Billah at the commission's Chattogram Integrated District Office-2.

ACC Deputy Director Md. Riaz Uddin of the same office said that an investigation into the allegations had been completed and a report recommending legal action was submitted. The ACC headquarters approved the case on October 5. Following the transfer of the original investigating officer, Tapchhir Billah was assigned to file the First Information Report (FIR).

The former mayor has been charged under Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947. Riaz Uddin said others found involved in the irregularities during further investigation would also be brought under the inquiry.

According to the FIR, Tofail Bin Hossain served as mayor of Banshkhali Municipality from February 14, 2022, to August 18, 2024. During his tenure, he approved designs for 267 buildings and structures.

A Local Government Division circular issued on June 22, 2017, requires an 11-member committee headed by the mayor to review building designs and oversee construction quality. Under the directive, building plans must be approved based on the committee's recommendations, and the committee must meet at least once every three months.

However, the committee met only twice during Tofail Bin Hossain's tenure, on September 4, 2023, and February 12, 2024. It recommended approval of 89 building designs at those meetings, while the remaining 174 were approved without its recommendations.

The FIR alleges that the former mayor acted unilaterally and abused his authority with dishonest intentions to gain personally or benefit others.

The ACC decided on November 23, 2020, to investigate allegations of irregularities and corruption against Selimul Haque Chowdhury, the then mayor of Banshkhali Municipality. During that investigation, allegations of irregularities in approving building plans by Tofail Bin Hossain also emerged.