Staff Correspondent

Allegations have been found against Rajarhat Sub-Registrar Nabib Aftab in Kurigram for bribery, collectiion of extra money and registering land through forged documents.

The victims have alleged that he has been allegedly collecting 10 to 20 times more than the prescribed fee and is involved in various irregularities in the name of land registry. Based on these allegations, the victims have filed written complaints with the relevant offices, including the District Registrar.

Although Sub-Registrar Nabib Aftab was originally posted as Kurigram Sadar Sub-Registrar, he abused his power and took on additional responsibilities in one more upazilas. He took on additional responsibilities in Chilmari, Kurigram Sadar and Rajarhat upazilas several times, showing his power as a former Chhatra League leader.

While performing additional duties in Chilmari upazila in 2024, he got involved in widespread corruption. It is alleged that he used to collect extra money from the general public with the help of document writers and harassed them in various ways. Due to their dissatisfaction with him, the document writers were also angry with him.

Later, he was given additional responsibility of Kurigram Sadar Upazila as well as Rajarhat Upazila. After taking charge, he became more reckless. It is alleged that he collected 10 to 20 times more money than the government -fixed fee for erroneous amendments, contracts, donation certificates and distributions.

So that journalists could not investigate his corruption, he did not include his information in the government information portal. Even his mobile number was kept secret by the employees and he was discouraged from contacting journalists.

Abul Kashem of Chakirpasha Taluk village of Rajarhat Upazila said, his friend Harun-ur-Rashid came to him on January 22 with his neighbour Jahangir Alam. They wanted to get two amended documents done. Then he took them to the sub-registrar's office.

At that time, the document writer Mozammel Haque took them to the sub-registrar's room. Sub-registrar Nabib Aftab told them, you should talk to the document writer Mozammel and work. Then they left the room.

After a while, Mozammel Haque came out of the room and said, the sub-registrar will not approve the amendment document, a new contract document will have to be made. The new contract document will cost Tk 1 lakh 60 thousand.

They said that the government's fixed cost for the amendment document is only 2 thousand taka. Then the document writer Mozammel Haque said that the work can be done, but the sub-registrar will have to pay a bribe of 50 thousand taka. In addition, another 20 thousand taka will have to be paid for the stamp, bank draft and document writer's fee.

The victims were forced to pay 70 thousand taka and get the amendment document made. Later, they learned that the amendment document did not require a new bank draft and the total cost should have been a maximum of Tk 2,000 but additional Tk 66,000 had been embezzled. He filed a complaint with various departments, including the District Registrar.

Swapan Kumar, a retired assistant professor at Rajarhat Govt Mir Ismail Hossain College, said, on October 2, 2023, Subodh Chandra and Sudhangshu Chandra of his village prepared fake B.R.S. Khatian and sold his 12 decimals land. This land was registered in the name of Alam Miah of the village through 'Kabla' deed number 3079.

Later, upon learning of the matter, he filed a written complaint with the District Registrar on November 2. After the investigation, Bhurungamari Sub-Registrar Mahfuzur Rahman was appointed as the investigation officer.

When the investigation report was published on January 15, the District Registrar temporarily suspended the certificate of document writer Samidul Haque Dulur and sent a notice seeking a clear explanation within 5 working days. However, no action has been taken against Sub-Registrar Nabib Aftab.

Swapan Kumar said, the Sub-Registrar and the document writer are directly involved in corruption. I want them to be brought to justice.

Document writer Mozammel Haque admitted of taking Tk 70,000 in two amendment documents. However, he did not agree to say how much money he gave to the Sub-Registrar.

Sub-Registrar Nabib Aftab said, someone took money using my name. I am not involved in all this.

Newly appointed District Registrar Md. Ruhul Kuddus said, I have come to a new position. The matter will be investigated and necessary action will be taken.