Faruk Magura Correspondent: Job in his own district by hiding his identity. Fire license by bribery, manipulation of fake bills DAD Ali Sajjad is at the center of irregularities in Magura Fire Service.
Fire Service and Civil Defense Office Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) Md. Ali Sajjad has been accused of extensive irregularities and corruption. It is alleged that he has taken a job in his own district by hiding his address in violation of government service policies, and is involved in serious corruption such as issuing fire licenses in exchange for bribes, embezzling money by making fake bills, grabbing government property and using inefficient manpower in conducting administrative work. Although government recruitment policies discourage employment in his own district, Ali Sajjad, despite being a permanent resident of Aunara village in Mohammadpur upazila of Magura district, gave his address during his service in the neighboring district of Jhenaidah. Later, using the political influence of former MP Advocate Saifuzzaman Shikhar, he was transferred to his own district and has been serving here for more than three years. DAD Ali Sajjad is using the “inspection room” of the Magura Fire Service—where high-ranking officials stay during inspections—as a personal residence. Not only that, he has been occupying a government room of the Kushtia Fire Service for a long time and making his wife and children live there, although his wife works in the Kushtia Youth Development Department. Office assistant Munsur Ahmed has been paralyzed for a long time, but his salary is being withdrawn regularly in his name, from which Ali Sajjad is alleged to have taken a part. He has been given the opportunity to live at home in exchange. In addition, despite the government budget to buy new furniture in the office, old furniture has been brought from the Jessore office and installed, through which money has been embezzled. High-ranking assistants Tanha Tahera and Ehsan have been removed and the administrative activities of the office are being carried out by Murshid and Hurairah, who are of the rank of fireman. They have been embezzling money for a long time by making fake bills worth lakhs of taka in the name of sports, festoon printing and oil. Several businessmen have complained that they have to pay a huge bribe for each file to get a fire license for a multi-storey building. Even without on-site inspection, licenses have been issued to many buildings—those that do not even have a 5-10 feet road in front of them.
Assistant Director Faruk Ahmed of Khulna previously investigated DAD Ali Sajjad, but it was covered up. Later, the investigating officer himself was transferred. Recently, Station Officer Talha of Dhaka Headquarters was again given the responsibility of the investigation, but he completed the investigation in Dhaka instead of coming to Magura. As a result, no visible action has been taken so far. According to information received in the last one month, Assistant Director Masud Sardar is accused of torturing a woman working in Magura Fire Service. He was transferred to Kushtia by deliberately filing a false case against that woman. Later, a close person from the upazila was brought in to replace him. Firefighter Ali Hasan and leader Alef Mollah are also accused of using fake addresses and educational certificates. Ali Hasan is actually from Magura, but used a Bhola address during his employment. He is accused of forcibly selling fire extinguishers.
Today, Tuesday, July 15, at noon, Bangladesh Jasad’s Magura District President Mohabbat Ali said, “We have come to know about the Magura Fire Service getting jobs by hiding identity, fake bill vouchers, and various other issues. We will soon organize a human chain and protest rally at Magura Chowrangi More. Why is no action being taken after investigation despite repeated calls for investigation? “There is no place for corruption in an important service organization like the Fire Service. Departmental disciplinary action must be taken against those responsible, including Ali Sajjad, immediately.”
”Director General of the Fire Service and Civil Defense Department, Brigadier General Muhammad Zahed Kamal, said, “The Magura issue has come to our attention. Necessary action will be taken after investigation.”
However, when this matter was informed to Magura Deputy Commissioner Md. Ahidul Islam, he said, “I am aware of the matter. We have received a written complaint and action will be taken after the investigation.”
“However, when asked to speak about the accused, they are not willing to provide any information even after being asked several times. Such irregularities and corruption that have been going on for a long time in a government service institution should not end with the removal of just one officer. This demands a complete management reform. The administration should immediately file a departmental case against those responsible, dismiss them from their jobs and ensure exemplary punishment, so that no one dares to commit such irregularities in the future.
In this regard, Magura Fire Service Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) Md. Ali Sajjad said, “All the allegations of irregularities and corruption against me are all false.”
