Chattogram Bureau

Commission-related allegations have surfaced against Md. Tanvirul Islam, Chief Engineer (East) of Bangladesh Railway. He has allegedly become one of the most prominent figures in commission-related activities in the Eastern Railway. According to allegations, he does not release files without receiving commission payments in cash.

Dissatisfied with the alleged practices, a person named Saiful Islam recently filed a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

According to the complaint, allegations have been brought against Md. Tanvirul Islam—who previously served as Project Director of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge Construction Project at Bangladesh Railway’s Rail Bhaban in Dhaka and the Akhaura–Laksam Project, and is currently serving as Chief Engineer (East), Bangladesh Railway, Chattogram—for allegedly embezzling crores of taka, laundering money and acquiring assets beyond his known sources of income through various irregularities and corruption while serving as project director.

The complaint further alleges that during the previous government’s tenure, Tanvirul Islam secured the position of project director by allegedly paying a large bribe to the then Railway Minister. He subsequently allegedly began awarding and managing works in coordination with preferred contractors in exchange for commissions. It is also alleged that a portion of the money obtained through corruption was transferred to Canada.

The complaint describes Tanvirul Islam as a senior official who allegedly engaged in bribery during the previous Awami League-led government. It alleges that he preferred to work in coordination with contractors and that, since joining Bangladesh Railway, he has repeatedly faced allegations of compromising government development projects through alleged collusion with contractors.

Despite these allegations, he was reportedly appointed as project director of several major projects.
The complainant has demanded a proper investigation into the allegations of embezzlement, money laundering and acquisition of assets beyond known sources of income during his tenure as project director.

The complaint also calls for scrutiny of the bills of the two projects during his tenure as PD, as well as an investigation into an allegation that he paid Tk 10 crore in bribes to secure his current posting as Chief Engineer.

Since assuming office as Chief Engineer of the Eastern Railway, allegations of corruption against him have reportedly intensified.

He is allegedly collecting substantial commissions from allocations for infrastructure development works in the Eastern Railway. A prominent contractor, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that the Chief Engineer does not release any file without receiving a 3% commission on old files and 5% on new files in cash.

The contractor further alleged that during the allocation of development works, the prices of construction materials are sometimes inflated several times above market rates through large financial arrangements. The cost of inspecting development works is also allegedly shifted onto contractors. As a result, contractors reportedly cannot complete even 30–40% of the planned work within the allocated budget, raising concerns over the sustainability and quality of development projects.

Meanwhile, on July 17, 2025, an estimated cost of Tk 883 crore 72 lakh was approved for track repair under a project worth a total of Tk 1,761 crore, including equipment. The entire project was divided into eight packages.

Md. Tanvirul Islam has reportedly been assigned responsibility as Project Director of the Tk 883 crore 72 lakh Track Maintenance and Rehabilitation Project. Allegations have emerged that a plan has been made to divide the project works among preferred contractors and allegedly misappropriate a large amount of public money.

According to a source familiar with the matter, the Chief Engineer allegedly directs subordinate engineers to undertake development works at his discretion and collects commissions from those projects. Through such practices, he is allegedly making crores of taka every year.
A contractor, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged, “The Chief Engineer took a 5% commission from my Tk 6 lakh development work. He did not sign the file until the commission was paid.”

Sources further alleged that from the subordinate offices under the Chief Engineer to the Chief Engineer’s own office, contractors have to pay commissions ranging from 28% to 30% under various names for almost every project.
Contractors claim that because of such alleged commission practices, proper development of government infrastructure is being hindered. According to them, the commission money allegedly collected by Chief Engineer Md. Tanvirul Islam reaches the pockets of several senior officials, including the General Manager of Bangladesh Railway’s Eastern Zone. As a result, they allege, the commission trade continues unchecked.

At a time when the government is taking various initiatives to improve the country’s communication system and make railway services more modern and people-oriented, allegations of commission trading in the Eastern Railway have raised concerns that these initiatives could be hampered.

Such alleged practices could lead to wastage of public funds and increase the risk of substandard development work.
When contacted regarding the allegations, Md. Tanvirul Islam, Chief Engineer (East), Bangladesh Railway, was called several times but did not answer. Later, in response to an SMS, he said, “I am in a meeting with the Honourable Minister today.”

When asked about the allegations, Bangladesh Railway Director General (DG) Afzal Hossain said, “Please speak to Additional Director General (Infrastructure) Al Fattah Md. Masudur Rahman about this matter.”

Later, when contacted, Additional Director General (Infrastructure) Al Fattah Md. Masudur Rahman said, “I am not aware of the complaint filed with the ACC.”
Asked whether there were any allegations of irregularities against Tanvirul Islam during his tenure as Project Director of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge Project, he said, “Different people can make allegations in different ways. I am looking into the matter.”

Advocate Selim Chowdhury, Senior Vice Chairman of the Bangladesh Human Rights Council, said, “Although railways are profitable institutions in many countries around the world, Bangladesh Railway has been incurring losses year after year instead of making profits. One of the major reasons is the presence of identified corrupt officials and employees.”

He added, “What is concerning is that, through syndicates, officials who can commit more corruption are allegedly given more important responsibilities and postings. If Bangladesh Railway is to be saved from continuous losses, the government should identify such individuals and take appropriate legal action against them.