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Ex-CAAB chief engineer held over Tk150cr misappropriation
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday arrested former Chief Engineer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Md Habibur Rahman on charges of embezzling Tk150 crore in connection with the construction of the terminal and runway at Cox’s Bazar International Airport.
A team of the ACC held Habibur Rahman from the Segunbagicha area of Dhaka, ACC Assistant Director (Public Relations) Tanzir Ahmed said.
Following his arrest, Tanzir said, he was produced before a court.
According to ACC sources, a case was filed on January 27, 2025, against 10 individuals, including former Prime Minister’s Military Adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique, over alleged irregularities and corruption in the runway expansion project at Cox’s Bazar Airport.
Habibur Rahman’s arrest comes amid the ongoing investigation of the case.
The ACC has requested his detention until the probe is completed, citing concerns over potential evidence tampering and witness influence.
Other accused in the case include former Senior Secretary Muhibul Haq, former Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Janendranath Sarkar, former CAAB Chairman M Mofidur Rahman, former Chief Engineer Md Abdul Malek, owner of Aerones International Lutfullah Majed, its Managing Director Mahbub Anam, former Deputy Secretary Md Shafiqul Islam, and Project Director Md Yunus Bhuiyan.
The case statement alleges that irregularities amounting to nearly Tk1,500 crore have been uncovered in the Cox’s Bazar Airport development project.
It claims that Tarique Ahmed Siddique and others directly facilitated the awarding of the project contract to a Chinese company in violation of existing procurement rules.
The ACC said the accused allegedly ensured the project was awarded to a preferred contractor and, in collusion with local agent Aerones International Limited, misappropriated at least Tk150 crore from the project, reports UNB.