Babla Das Gupta, a class-3 employee of the Department of Cooperatives, has amassed huge wealth allegedly through illegal transfer and promotion during the tenure of the past Sheikh Haisna-led government.
An investigation by the Bangladesh Post reveals that Babla Das owns assets worth crores of taka made through illegal promotion and transfer of many employees with the help of top officials.
The Department of Cooperatives, which is aimed at creating a fund to implement various projects for the empowerment of rural women, has become a breeding ground for corruption.
It is alleged that Babla Das and several other employees of the cooperatives department have allegedly made fortune by embezzling funds of the cooperatives members and government incentives.
On January 1, 2023, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) lodged a complaint against Babla Das over his lobbying for the promotion and transfer of employees of the cooperatives department.
ACC Deputy Assistant Director Mizanur Rahman was tasked with the job to investigate the allegation of corruption and irregularities against Babla Das, but the probe report is yet to be released.
It is learnt from the sources concerned that Babla Das’s interference with the investigation is causing the delay.
During the investigation, it was found that Babla Das built a structure known as ‘Rainbow Tower’ on Plot No. 87 and 88 at South Banasree Road No. 7 in the capital city of Dhaka.
Babla Das purchased the land in the name of a person called Pradeep Das. He is believed to have built the‘Rainbow Tower’ on the land in collaboration with others.
During a visit to the tower, this correspondent came to know that Babla Das has not resided there since August 5. The caretaker of the building, wishing anonymity, said Babla Das has rented out his flat and parking space.
Further investigation reveals that Babla Das purchased land in Patiya Upazila of Chattogram in 2013 with registration No. 2031/13. The land is valued at over Tk 50 lakh but he showed only Tk 11.62 lakh to evade taxes.
On February 27, 2014, Babla Das also bought 0.0950 acres of land in Cox’s Bazar’s Wala Palang Mouja with deed no. 294/14, declaring its price of Tk 18 lakh, far below the actual market value of Tk 70 lakh.
He also purchased the 5th floor of Wadi Bhaban located at Abdus Sattar Road near the LGRD Building in Rahmatganj, Chattogram, in the name of his second wife Jayashree. Moreover, he bought three more flats in a five-story building on Ramkrishna Mission Lane near the Ansar-VDP office between Kazir Dewri and Jamalkhan areas.
The investigation also reveals that Babla Das acquired agricultural land worth taka several crores in Patharghata Khwajnagar Mouza, Chattogram, over the last decade. He is known to use two cars, one of which is registered as Dhaka Metro Ga-13-5625.
Sources said Babla Das currently resides at a flat of an apartment building at 22 Swami Bagh in the capital’s Gendaria area. However, during a visit, he was not found there. The caretaker did not allow this correspondent to enter the building.
Local residents said Babla Das no longer lives there, though the flat was reportedly purchased in his sister's name.
Chanchal, an employee of the cooperatives department, said Babla Da sent his son abroad for ‘higher education’ with an ill motive to launder money. Other employees claim that Babla Das has made crores of taka illegally.
This correspondent repeatedly tried to contact Babla Das over phone for his comments about the allegation against him, but he could not be reached as his phone was found switched-off.
At the Department of Cooperatives, several individuals were reportedly searching for him, claiming that he had taken crores of taka from them in exchange for promises of jobs and promotions.
A responsible officer of the Department of Cooperatives said that Babla Das has been absent in the office since the fall of Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5 amid mass uprising.
ACC Deputy Assistant Director Mizanur Rahman also could not be reached over phone.