Jahirul Patuakhali Correspondent: The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has uncovered initial evidence indicating that over a hundred officials and staff members of the Patuakhali University of Science and Technology (PUST), situated in Dumki district, misappropriated approximately Tk 26 million by failing to deposit loan installment payments into the appropriate bank.

On the morning of Sunday, August 17, a team led by Taposh Biswas, Assistant Director of the ACC Patuakhali District Office, carried out an investigation at the university.

As per the university’s accounting department, since 2011, loans for the purchase of motorcycles and computers have been sourced from the 10 percent deduction fund of the teachers and officials’ General Provident Fund (GPF) through account number 8305 at the Rupali Bank branch. While the installments were paid according to regulations, the relevant officials neglected to deposit these funds into the bank. This issue was uncovered during an internal audit, leading the accused to acknowledge their wrongdoing and return approximately 32 lakh taka.

The complaint identifies several individuals, including the university’s Deputy Registrar (Planning) Md. Khairul Basar Mia (Nasir), photo machine operator Shamim Khan, audit cell sweeper Farida Begum, ambulance driver Alam, and budget branch office assistant Masud, among others. The ACC’s preliminary investigation has shown that they embezzled crores of taka by not depositing the loan installment payments.

Following the investigation, Assistant Director Taposh Biswas informed reporters, “Preliminary evidence has been discovered suggesting that Deputy Director of the Pension Department Rajib Mia and Lab Attendant Abu Saleh Md. Icha misappropriated funds by fabricating fake bank slips to indicate loan payments from officials and employees. The allegations against them have already been substantiated.”

He also mentioned that information has been gathered from the victims, including officials and employees from the transport branch, who have also been victims of significant embezzlement through fraudulent deposits.

ACC officials claim that the two accused officers may have gone into hiding after receiving advance information from the investigation team. The incident will be reported to the head office and further investigation will continue as per the instructions.