Serious allegations of corruption and irregularities have been raised against Mohammadpur Sub-Registrar Shahin Alam. Through these, he has become the owner of huge wealth. It is alleged that under his leadership, a syndicate of brokers has been established around the Sub-Registrar’s office. Through them, he conducts illegal transactions and collects large sums of money. With this illegal money, he leads a luxurious lifestyle.
Investigations have revealed that Shahin Alam owns a single-storied house in Bankail, Ward No. 3 of Alfadanga. In addition, right next to Bankail, he purchased a 20-decimal plot worth about one crore taka. Information has also surfaced that he bought a one-acre fish farm in Finglia Mouza of Kashiani upazila in Gopalganj, his in-laws’ area, at a price of 80 lakh taka. Apart from this, he has purchased properties in that area under his own and others’ names.
According to news of Bengali daily The Manabzamin, It has been learned that in Char-Kamrangirchar Mouza, Kamrangirchar, Sub-Registrar Shahin bought 425 ajutangsha of land in his brother’s name. On this land, he built a six-storied building, each floor measuring about 1,590 square feet. Later, this building and land were registered in the names of his brother’s minor children as a “hiba” (donation), under deed number 5982, showing only four lakh taka as registration cost.
According to information, Shahin Alam has multiple FDRs and savings certificates in banks under his own and others’ names, worth more than a crore taka. Yet, in his income tax report, he declared only 384,228 taka as income. He also showed a loan of 235,228 taka and declared assets worth 5,038,792 taka. However, it is known that he joined this post only a year and a half ago.
Sources at the Mohammadpur Sub-Registrar’s office informed that Shahin’s salary is only 50,000–55,000 taka. Despite this, he lives a lavish lifestyle. Though his salary is 50,000–55,000, he spends 40,000 taka per month renting a private car from a rent-a-car service and pays the driver a salary of 30,000 taka per month. Officials and employees of the Mohammadpur Sub-Registrar’s office have alleged that Shahin regularly takes bribes and has accumulated wealth through illegal means. They have demanded legal action in this regard.
An on-site visit to the Mohammadpur Sub-Registrar’s office revealed that a syndicate of brokers is active right in front of the office entrance. Employees recruited under the master roll work according to their whims. Sub-Registrar Shahin Alam signs documents without reviewing them, only at the signal of certain special individuals. Upon noticing the presence of this reporter, office assistant Munni Begum signaled across the office gate. Immediately, the officials and employees went on alert. Following this, Shahin Alam started a dramatic show of verifying files before signing them.
When asked to meet the Sub-Registrar, office assistant Munni said: “No need to meet sir. You are journalists, you will be paid. Suruj Sir will give you money, he manages all the journalists.” At that moment, Suruj and Akib, the so-called “special persons,” appeared and stated that it was at their signal that Sub-Registrar Shahin signed documents without verification.
They (Suruj and Akib) said: “What’s the need to meet the Sub-Registrar? Tell us, whatever you need will be done through us.” After a heated exchange, permission was finally granted to meet Sub-Registrar Shahin Alam.
Shahin Alam was called several times to seek his comments but he was not available.
