Noakhali Correspondent

Severe allegations of fraud, financial embezzlement, and land grabbing have surfaced against Shafiqur Rahman, the superintendent (Mohtamim) of Foyeziya Orphanage in Sonaimuri Municipality, Noakhali, following an investigation into fake educational credentials.

Despite using the honorific titles "Hafez" and "Maulana," local investigations revealed that Shafiqur Rahman holds no recognized degrees from either the Qawmi or Alia madrasa boards. According to founding teachers and former students, Shafiq initially worked as a cook at a madrasa in Dhaka before securing an assistant position at Foyeziya Orphanage in 2002 on a nominal salary. Leveraging political connections and patronizing influential board members, he eventually seized the principal's position.

Troubling reports indicate that Shafiq routinely embezzled government capitation grants from the Social Services Office by fabricating documents for 195 non-existent orphans. In addition, former employees confessed to selling donated goats at local livestock markets and handing the proceeds directly to Shafiq, who allegedly maintained exclusive control over institution funds.

Former teachers, including Maulana Amir Hossain, alleged that their monthly salaries were withheld for months. When staff demanded their outstanding dues, they were met with verbal abuse and intimidation.

Local residents also accused Shafiq of illegal land encroachment, claiming he built a private residential structure for his family on public land, effectively blocking access to surrounding agricultural fields.

Following recent media reports exposing fake bill vouchers at the orphanage, journalists covering the story were reportedly attacked, CCTV footage was erased, and false extortion claims were filed against reporters. The management allegedly mobilized young students as human shields during protests to conceal administrative irregularities.

Local residents and community leaders have demanded immediate administrative intervention and a thorough investigation to protect the institution's public standing and rescue its finances.