News Desk

The Canadian University of Bangladesh has controversially occupied a two-and-a-half Bigha field within the Purbachal New Town project, erecting a boundary wall around it without prior authorisation from RAJUK.

Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha, or RAJUK, the capital development agency in charge of the project, clarified that no permission had been granted for the university to use the field, adding that the wall surrounding the area would be demolished.

Controversial financial market operator Chowdhury Nafeez Sarafat serves as the chairman of its trustee board.

In 2019, the Ministry of Housing and Public Works raised objections to the allocation of plots to the university, alleging violations of regulations.

The documents submitted to RAJUK show that the private university applied to the then housing and public works secretary Md Shahid Ullah Khandaker, on Jan 19, 2022, for permission to lease the field.

The application explained that, while the university had already been allocated 8.5 Bighas of land, it needed the additional field for sports activities for its students.

Five days after the application was submitted, on Jan 24, the secretary forwarded it to the additional secretary.

On Feb 20, the ministry sent a letter to the RAJUK chief, urging action on the matter.

The letter, signed by the ministry's former deputy secretary Lutfun Nahar, instructed the regulatory body to take steps in line with the existing regulations.

The plot allocated to the university is located between Roads 107 and 404, with an entrance from each road.

A two-storey building stands adjacent to the gate on the side of Road 107, with a signboard reading “Department of Civil Engineering”.

The university has enclosed not only its allocated plot but also the adjacent plot, which it applied to lease, within its boundary wall.

The area is now a football field with goalposts on both sides. The boundary wall prevents public access.

Nearby, a few local residents were chatting at a tea stall.

Their homes were acquired for the RAJUK project, but they are still living in houses built on different plots.

Ayub Hossain, a resident of the area, told bdnews24.com: "The field was not allocated to the Canadian University, yet they have enclosed it within their boundary."

Multiple calls to reach Nafeez for comments were unsuccessful.

However, the university's Vice-Chancellor Prof HM Jahirul Haque personally called bdnews24.com to inquire whether a report was being published on the matter.

He claimed to be unaware of the full details due to being on leave for a few days.

Prof Jahirul said, "We have no right to RAJUK's field. As far as I know, the trustee board probably received approval from RAJUK for the maintenance of the field. Otherwise, how could we possibly use it?”

He continued, “Since I am in charge, I can say that we can't just carry the field on our shoulders. If RAJUK doesn't allow it, we will vacate the area and remove the boundary wall. To save an institution, some positive news carries weight. Who the founders of the institution are is a different matter. See how the news can be presented positively."

Nafeez has been named in the media as a beneficiary of several government projects during the Awami League's tenure.

He has also faced numerous allegations related to his involvement in banking and the stock market.

The businessman has not been seen in public since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime on Aug 5.

The Anti-Corruption Commission, or ACC, has launched an investigation into accusations of bank takeover and embezzlement of funds from the stock market.

Both Nafeez’s and his wife's bank accounts have been frozen as part of the investigation.

Nafeez is also the former chairman of Padma Bank —formerly Farmers Bank - and a director at Unique Hotel and Resorts Limited.

WHAT THE LAW SAYS

To protect playgrounds and water bodies in Bangladesh, the Playground, Open Space, Park and Natural Water Body Act, 2000, is in effect across all municipal areas, including metropolitan cities, divisional cities, and district towns.

According to Section 5 of the law, the conversion of playgrounds, open spaces, parks, and natural water bodies is prohibited.

The law also prohibits the transfer of such spaces, whether through rent, lease, or any other means.

RAJUK’S RESPONSE

A RAJUK official working in the Purbachal New Town project told bdnews24.com, "Nafeez Sarafat was very proactive in taking control of the field. Once it's in their possession, reclaiming it will be very difficult.”

The official, who requested anonymity, added: "The process of leasing the field began when Amin Ullah Nuri was our chairman, and it ended under the chairmanship of Anisur Rahman.

He continued, "Due to his close ties with the Prime Minister’s Office, Nafeez Sarafat had significant influence over RAJUK. Everyone was fearful of him. All the plots he received from RAJUK were secured through pressure from the ministry and high-level government officials.”

RAJUK chief Siddiqur Rahman Sarker told bdnews24.com, "RAJUK has not granted permission for the use of that field."

He advised speaking with the Purbachal branch’s Director Mohammad Monir Hossain Howlader for more details.

Monir confirmed to bdnews24.com that they had learned about the field being enclosed by a wall.

The director said a meeting had been held, during which a proposal was made to clear the field.

"We have not granted permission for anyone to use the field. I was called to a meeting to discuss the removal of the wall. I voluntarily suggested breaking down the wall. Why would they enclose the field? We have not given permission, nor have we signed any lease agreement for the field,”he added.

PREVIOUS ALLEGATIONS OF RULE VIOLATIONS IN PLOT ALLOCATION

The Ministry of Housing and Public Works had raised concerns about irregularities in the allocation of a plot to the Canadian University of Bangladesh under the Purbachal New Town project.

The ministry had also sought clarification on why the plot was allocated to the private university despite a court order that required the classification to remain unchanged.

The plot was shown as a “secondary school” in the original approved design of the project.

However, in December 2018, RAJUK approved a proposal to change the plot's category from “secondary school” to “college/university” based on an application from Nafeez.

After the issue came to light, the ministry sent a letter to RAJUK's chairman in February 2019, pointing out that the plot's allocation should be considered invalid as it violated court orders.

"Up to the fourth amendment of RAJUK's plan, and the proposed iconic tower in the fifth amendment has been retained as per the orders of the Honourable High Court. However, the remaining parts of the fifth amendment and subsequent changes were not approved by the High Court and, therefore, are liable to be cancelled," the letter said.

At the time, Nafeez was known as a close ally of the Awami League government.

Mohammad A Arafat, the former chief advisor to the Canadian University’s trustee board, later became a member of the Awami League cabinet.

Despite the ministry's statement that it would review the irregularities in the plot allocation, no further action was taken on the matter.