The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has issued a directive to the Special Branch of the police to ensure that Taqsem A Khan, the former managing director (MD) of Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA), does not leave the country.
This move is part of the ACC's ongoing investigation into allegations of widespread corruption, irregularities, and the embezzlement of crores of taka under Khan's tenure at Dhaka WASA, said a senior official of the ACC on Tuesday (20 August).
The ACC's letter highlights that Taqsem A Khan is currently under investigation for allegedly accumulating illicit wealth through various fraudulent activities at Dhaka WASA.
These include irregularities in project execution, embezzlement of funds amounting to crores of taka, and unlawful recruitment practices.
Reliable sources indicate that Khan, along with his family, is attempting to leave the country. The ACC has deemed it essential to restrict his foreign travel to facilitate the proper conduct of the investigation.
The ACC's concerns stem from an earlier report submitted by Deputy Director Syed Nazrul Islam on 23 May last year.
Following an inquiry into allegations of unlawful appointments at Dhaka WASA, Islam recommended the filing of charges.
The investigation revealed that, despite the absence of relevant positions in the WASA organogram, Khan had exerted undue influence to appoint two individuals on a contractual basis.
Over a span of more than four years, these two individuals received salaries amounting to Tk1.98 crore, which the report alleges was misappropriated due to their irregular appointments.
Further details from the investigation suggest collusion among the chairman and members of Dhaka WASA's Board of Directors.
They allegedly abused their power by bypassing standard recruitment policies and disregarding existing rules to appoint two favoured individuals on a contractual basis without creating legitimate positions within the organogram.
Taqsem A Khan, an engineer by profession, has held the position of Dhaka WASA's MD since 2009, with his tenure extended multiple times.
Throughout his incumbency, he has faced numerous accusations of violating recruitment regulations. In addition to the unlawful appointments, ongoing investigations have unearthed allegations of significant financial irregularities in several major projects.
These include the Padma-Jashaldia project, where Tk1,100 crore is under scrutiny, the Gandharbpur Water Treatment Plant project, involving Tk1,000 crore, the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant project, also Tk1,000 crore, and the Gulshan-Baridhara Lake Pollution project, where Tk50 crore is reportedly unaccounted for.
The ACC's firm stance on preventing Taqsem A Khan's departure underscores the gravity of the allegations against him and the commission's commitment to ensuring a thorough investigation.
