In the heart of Dhaka, two elite neighborhoods, Gulshan and Elephant Road, have become the stage for a controversial tale of two former government officials, Md. Ashraful Islam, a retired additional secretary, and Md. Shamsujjoha Khandkar, a former Additional Inspector General (Additional IGP) of Police. Their saga unfolds in the occupation of prime government properties, raising questions about ethics, abuse of power, and the credibility of the freedom fighter status they claim.
Md. Ashraful Islam has entrenched himself in the opulent house numbered 331 on Elephant Road, a two-storied edifice that stands as a symbol of both privilege and audacity. On the other side of the city, in the esteemed neighborhood of Gulshan-1, Md. Shamsujjoha Khandkar has taken possession of house number SE(A)-6 on road number 135, a property formerly occupied by the distinguished former IGP Noor Mohammad until 2007.
Despite repeated notices from the Ministry of Public Works, these former officials have tenaciously clung to their acquired residences. Md. Ashraful Islam, who once held the position of Director of the Government Housing Department, managed to extend his stay in the Elephant Road property through a labyrinth of applications and appeals, including one to the Prime Minister’s office.
Documents reveal the Ministry of Public Works struggled to reclaim the Elephant Road property, with Ashraful Islam employing various strategies to retain the house. Despite directives to hand over possession to the local Public Works Maintenance Office, he resisted, prolonging the dispute.
Similarly, Shamsujjoha Khandkar, after the conclusion of his service in 2017, has been entangled in a legal skirmish to retain possession of the house in Gulshan-1, asserting he has no alternative residence in Dhaka.
Both individuals have played the ‘freedom fighter’ card to justify their continued occupation of these high-value properties. They have not only resisted eviction but have also demanded permanent allocation, citing their contributions during the liberation war.
Md. Ashraful Islam’s attempt to secure permanent allocation has encountered bureaucratic delays, with the Prime Minister’s office yet to make a decision. Meanwhile, Khandkar is reportedly embroiled in a legal battle to legitimize his claim to the property in Gulshan.
Contrary to their claims of financial strain, both former officials seem to lead lavish lifestyles. The discovery of multiple expensive cars, including a Toyota Prado and a 1800 cc Honda Jeep, in Khandkar’s garage, raises eyebrows. Furthermore, their children are reported to be studying and working in Canada, challenging the authenticity of their ‘poor freedom fighter’ narrative.
Public outrage has intensified at the audacity of these former officials, who, despite accumulating significant wealth, continue to occupy government properties illegally. Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, the executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), has labeled their actions a form of fraud. He asserts that claiming homelessness in Dhaka after a lifetime of service is both deceitful and criminal.
The public’s frustration is heightened by the apparent lack of swift and decisive action from the authorities. Questions are being raised about the government’s commitment to upholding justice and ensuring that those in power are held accountable for their actions.
As the legal battles and bureaucratic processes drag on, there is a growing concern about the lack of accountability in these cases. The reluctance of the authorities to promptly address and resolve such instances raises questions about the effectiveness of systems in place to ensure that justice is served.
The government’s response to these cases becomes crucial in determining whether justice will prevail or whether these individuals will continue to exploit their perceived status as freedom fighters to retain possession of prime government properties. The public’s faith in the legal and administrative systems hinges on the government’s ability to handle such cases with transparency and accountability.
The outcome of these cases could set a precedent for dealing with similar instances in the future, making it a litmus test for the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and preventing the abuse of public resources. It is an opportunity to demonstrate that no one, regardless of their position or past contributions, is above the law.
The government must act decisively, ensuring that justice is not only done but is seen to be done. This would send a powerful message to current and future public servants, reinforcing the idea that the privilege of serving the nation comes with responsibilities, and those responsibilities extend beyond the duration of their service.
The case of Md. Ashraful Islam and Md. Shamsujjoha Khandkar is not just a story of two individuals illegally occupying prime government properties but a broader reflection of systemic issues. It reveals the potential for abuse of power, the need for transparent and accountable governance, and the challenges faced by a society striving for justice and fairness.
As these two former officials continue to resist eviction, the public watches closely, hoping that justice will prevail and that the government will uphold the principles of fairness and accountability. The resolution of these cases could be a turning point, setting the stage for a more just and transparent administration in Bangladesh. The eyes of the public, both within the nation and internationally, are on Dhaka as it grapples with the complexities of unmasking elite squatters and ensuring that justice is served.
