Rangamati, Sept 25 (V7N) – The Senior District and Sessions Judge Court of Rangamati issued arrest warrants against several accused in connection with four corruption cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over alleged embezzlement of government funds through fake projects under the Rangamati Hill District Council. The order was passed on September 8 by Judge Md. Ahsan Tarek after charge sheets confirmed the allegations.
 
The cases involve misappropriation of funds from projects including fish embankment and concrete irrigation drains, installation of deep tube wells in Subalong Bazar, construction of Subalong Union Community Center and stairway, and road repairs from Erabunia Fish Embankment to Harun Tila in Barkal upazila. Investigations revealed that bills were drawn without completing the projects during fiscal years 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19, and 2020/21.
 
According to ACC sources, Tk 6,51,000 was embezzled in the Subalong deep tube well project, Tk 9,39,953 in the Barkal road repair project, Tk 858,853.85 in the irrigation drain project, and Tk 8,37,000 in the community center project. The accused include former council member Sabir Kumar, former executive engineer Kazi Abdus Samad, executive engineer Biral Barua, assistant engineer Jyotirmoy Chakma, sub-assistant engineer Riggan Chakma, Bhushanchhara UP Chairman Md. Mamunur Rashid, contractors Ching Hen Rakhine, Milon Talukder, and Amlendu Chakma.
 
Following the submission of charge sheets, the court issued arrest warrants. However, within 16 days, five prime accused secured bail. On September 23 and 24, District and Sessions Judge Md. Ahsan Tarek granted bail to Riggan Chakma, Biral Barua, Jyotirmoy Chakma, Kazi Abdus Samad, and Amlendu Chakma upon their petitions. ACC Public Prosecutor Senior Advocate Jewel Dewan confirmed the matter, expressing disappointment over the bail orders.
 
“We will consult with the higher authorities of the ACC and take legal steps, including filing for revision in the High Court against the bail orders,” Advocate Dewan told reporters. ACC Assistant Director Raju Ahmed was present during the bail hearings.
 
According to investigators, from 2016 to 2023, the Rangamati Hill District Council allegedly collaborated with politically connected contractors and officials to siphon off millions of taka by creating paper-based projects. Despite extensive evidence gathered during a two-year probe and submission of detailed charge sheets, the accused avoided jail by securing bail immediately after the warrants were issued.
 
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