Masud Rana, Barishal

Despite teaching at a government college on a government-determined salary and allowance, Professor Monirul Islam, Baitul Maal Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami in Barishal district, has allegedly owned huge illegal wealth. Local and related sources have claimed that he owns several flats in his name and anonymously in the C&B Road area of the city.

Reliable sources claim that Prof Monirul Islam has two flats in a building named 'Bandhan' in the C&B Road area of Ward No. 19 of Barisal city at the Government Sher-e-Bangla Degree College located on the banks of the Shikarpur Sandhya River in Ujirpur Upazila of Barisal district. It has been alleged that four more flats are in his name or anonymously in a three-unit 10-storey building under construction in the same area. The estimated market value of the six flats, including the land, is around Tk 6 crore, according to sources.

On-site inspection of the area adjacent to the Life Care Drug Addiction Treatment Center on C&B Road revealed information about the activities of the building under construction. Speaking to locals, it was learned that although the building is supposed to house about 20 shareholders, Professor Monirul Islam is in charge of the construction and management.

Meanwhile, locals have alleged that since the land under construction is listed in Schedule 'A', there are questions about its ownership and documents. It is alleged that documents were prepared by showing the government-owned land in the name of an individual and later the building plan was approved. However, to verify the truth of these allegations, it is necessary to examine the documents of the concerned department.

Locals further complain that there is only a 6-foot-wide lane in front of the under-construction building. Questions have also been raised about how permission was given for a 10-story building next to such a narrow road as per the City Corporation's rules. Locals have demanded an investigation into whether there has been any irregularities or corruption in this case.

In this regard, the authorities of the planning department of the Barisal City Corporation said that during the time of Ahsan Habib Kamal as the mayor, there was a plan approval for the construction of a maximum 3-storey building next to a 6/7-foot road as per the resolution. After that, no further decision was made. When asked about the 10-storey building under construction by Jamaat leader Professor Monirul Islam, they said that the Barisal City Corporation authorities are not aware of this building. They also said that if anyone builds a building illegally and illegally in this way, bypassing the eyes of the BCC, the authorities will definitely take action against them according to the law.

On the other hand, Professor Monirul Islam, who is also a government college teacher and Baitul Maal editor of a political party, has also raised questions about his political activities. Some in the conscious circles say that the concerned authorities should investigate whether holding important positions in a political party while in government service is in line with the law and government service rules.

When asked about this, the Barishal Education Board authorities said that according to the Government Service Rules, Rule 25 of 1979, no government employee can be a member of any political party or its affiliated organization or be involved in any other way. No one can participate in or assist in any political activities or campaigns inside or outside the country. According to government laws, if there is involvement in politics, it will be considered misconduct according to government laws and the appropriate authorities have the jurisdiction to take legal action against him, including dismissal.

It is alleged that Prof Monirul Islam served as the chief constituency director in the election campaign of Mahmudunnabi, Jamaat-e-Islami's nominated candidate for the Barisal-6 (Bakerganj) constituency and Barisal District Jamaat Secretary, for the 'Daripalla' symbol in the 13th National Parliament election.

Regarding these allegations against Professor Monirul Islam, he said that in December last year, when the Dr. Muhammad Yunus government was in power, the BCC had approved the plan for a 9-storey building with 3 units. Regarding his position as the Baitul Secretary of Barisal District Jamaat, he said that he is involved in Jamaat politics but does not hold any position. Regarding his position as the seat director of the scale marker of Jamaat-nominated candidate Mahmudunnabi from Bakerganj 6 constituency in the 13th National Parliament election, he said that he was involved in all election activities and did not hold any party position due to his government job. He also said that there is a flat in the under-construction building in the name of his niece.

Locals believe that the real information will come out through verification of documents from the relevant government departments and land authorities and an impartial investigation regarding the allegatwealth