Jhalokathi, Nov 27 (V7N) – The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against Dr. Shamim Ahmed, former director of Jhalokathi Sadar Hospital and currently working at Khagrachhari Hospital, along with three others for irregularities and fraud in awarding a Tk 2.16 crore contract to a single company.

The case was filed on Wednesday by Deputy Assistant Director Partha Chandra Pal of ACC Pirojpur under the Prevention of Corruption Act Sections 5(2) and Penal Code Sections 420, 409, and 109. The accused include contractor Shipra Rani Piplai of Barishal, her son Sohag Krishna Piplai, and her husband Satya Krishna Piplai. ACC Pirojpur’s deputy director accepted the case and ordered it to be recorded as case number 15.

According to the allegations, in the 2023-24 fiscal year, a Tk 5 crore Annual Procurement Plan (APP) was approved for the purchase of MSR materials for Jhalokathi Sadar Hospital. Following APP approval, Dr. Shamim Ahmed invited tenders worth Tk 2.16 crore for the purchase of gauze, bandages, cotton, medicine, chemicals, furniture, and kitchen supplies. Six groups submitted tenders, with each group allegedly presenting five tenders. Four companies—Messrs Ahsan Brothers, Piplai Enterprise, Bappi International, and Shahidul Islam—participated in the tender.

The tender evaluation committee, led by Dr. Shamim, selected three companies—Ahsan Brothers, Piplai Enterprise, and Bappi International—as eligible for the contract. However, all three companies were reportedly managed by a single person, Sohag Krishna Piplai. Ownership of the companies was listed as follows: Satya Krishna Piplai (Ahsan Brothers), Shipra Rani Piplai (Bappi International), and Sohag Piplai (Piplai Enterprise). All three businesses share the same address at 837/838 North Katpotti, Barishal.

ACC Deputy Assistant Director Partha Chandra Pal stated that the accused conspired to manipulate the tender by presenting near-identical itemized bids, which constitutes a criminal act under the Public Procurement Rules 2008, Section 127(3)(b).

Dr. Shamim Ahmed has denied the allegations, claiming the case is fabricated and that he is a victim of a conspiracy.

The case record has been forwarded to the ACC headquarters in Dhaka. Once an investigating officer is appointed, authorities plan to take steps to arrest the accused.

END/AIJ/SMA/