Director General of Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) Brigadier General Md Main Uddin faces allegations of massive corruption and irregularities.
He has pocketed about Tk 70 crore in bribes through illegal recruitment over the last two years, according to a complaint filed with the home affairs adviser by fire service officers and employees on August 12.
The complainants alleged that the director general has made a fortune through transfer of officers and employees in exchange of money, issuance of clearance certificates for high-rise buildings in exchange of money and withdrawal of money through quotation and tender manipulation.
The Bangladesh Post has obtained a copy of the complaint lodged with the home ministry.
According to the complaint that Brig Gen Main Uddin has appointed over 800 people to various posts after he took charge as the DG of FSCD in April 2022.
To appoint people in exchange for money, DG’s younger brother Nur Uddin Anis formed a syndicate in connivance with some corrupt fire service officials. The syndicate allegedly pocketed Tk 70 crore by appointing 350 people to various positions.
The complaints further claimed that people were appointed after making fake recommendations in the names of influential ministers, secretaries, principal secretary, and even Prime Minister’s Office.
Despite frequent efforts over phone, Brig Gen Main Uddin could not be reached for his comments about the allegations brought against him.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on July 4, 2023 requested Security Services Division of the Home Affairs Ministry to take legal action against him for his alleged corruption, including transfer and recruitment business. Besides, a three-member committee was formed to investigate allegations of embezzlement of crores of taka by DG Main Uddin, his younger brother Nur Uddin, Salah Uddin and their syndicate through recruitment and transfer business and tender manipulation. Deputy Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry Zahidul Islam signed an order in this regard on August 2, 2023.
However, the committee could not prove the allegations brought against the director general.
It has been alleged that the DG continues corrupt practices by influencing the probe report in his favour through payment of hefty bribes.
The complainants claimed that during the fiscal year 2021-22, Tk 12 crore was withdrawn from quotations without completing work.
Furthermore, the DG allegedly amassed a fortune by issuing clearance certificates for risky buildings in exchange for Tk 5-Tk 10 lakh, and collecting Tk 50,000 to Tk 2 lakh every month in bribes from 267 warehouse inspectors.
He also allegedly purchased land illegally near Inani Beach in Cox’s Bazar’s Ukhiya upazila, laundered money through hundi, and bought a flat at Banani and a plot of land at Aftabnagar in Dhaka, and acquired huge properties in Noakhali and Kayetpara in Keraniganj.
It is alleged that DG’s younger brother Nur Uddin has partnered with several fire safety plan consultancy firms through written and verbal agreements. Most FSCD works were given to firms like ‘Vista (BD)’ in Mirpur and 'Fon International Engineering’ at Nikunja in Khilkhet.
Despite efforts over phone, owners of these firms could not be reached for their comments in this regard. During an investigation, it was found that there was no existence of any organisation named ‘Vista (BD)’.
However, evidence shows that the company is owned by DG’s younger brother Nur Uddin and is listed with fire service since 2022.
When contacted for his comment, Nur Uddin discussed various issues with this correspondent, stating that various complaints were brought against all DGs of fire service.
Regarding the allegations brought against him, he said, “If we leave the country, they will say we flee with money.”
“Should I leave the country as my brother is DG? Should I shut down my business?” he questioned.
When asked about previous ACC recommendations and ministry’s complaints, Nur Uddin replied that the previous allegations have been resolved, and the ministry found no truth in this regard.
He claimed that those who made the allegations had been detained and later released after signing an undertaking.
Official documents from the FSCD, however, showed that engineering and consultancy firms listed with the Fire Service must have valid BIN/TIN trade licences, holding numbers, and signboards.
When asked whether Vista (BD) followed these rules, FSCD Director (Operations and Maintenance) Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury said that they do not have enough manpower to establish the existence of these firms directly but noted that registration is open both online and offline.
He further said that 71 firms have submitted all valid documents online and these firms are involved with fire safety plans, warehouse and fire prevention work.
“But I do not know whether Vista (BD) is on the new list. And Fon International is one of the consultancy firms involved with Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence,” he added.
