Madaripur, July 16 (V7N) — A significant corruption scheme has been uncovered at the historic Shah Madar Dargah Sharif Alia Madrasa and Orphanage in Madaripur. Over the past six years, the institution has allegedly claimed government funds for 145 orphans while actually sheltering only 40.
 
Authorities from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) revealed that Tk 2,000 per child was withdrawn each month, based on the inflated number. This misrepresentation led to the misappropriation of approximately Tk 2.08 crore from 2019 to 2025.
 
The fraudulent activities came to light following a raid conducted by the Madaripur office of the ACC on July 15, in the Shah Madar Dargah Khola area. The operation was led by Assistant Director Md. Akhtaruzzaman, who confirmed that the inspection was carried out with prior approval from the commission’s central office.
 
During the raid, officials found multiple discrepancies in documentation and actual conditions on site. Despite receiving substantial government assistance over the years, the orphanage showed no visible signs of development or proper maintenance.
 
Superintendent Maulana Sharif Mohammad Al-Amin, the current head of the institution, is under investigation for masterminding the scheme. He is also accused of illegally withdrawing funds from the institution’s Fixed Deposit Receipts (FDR) through document forgery.
 
Akhtaruzzaman stated that both the commission and the residents of Madaripur were deeply shocked and disappointed by the scale of corruption within such a historically significant and religious establishment. He added that all findings would be formally reported to the ACC headquarters for legal proceedings under anti-corruption laws.
 
The Shah Madar Dargah Sharif is a revered cultural and religious landmark in the region. The exposure of long-running financial fraud involving funds meant for orphans has sparked outrage and renewed calls for stricter oversight of charitable institutions. Further investigations are underway to identify all individuals involved.
 
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