Corruption Allegations Against Awami League Joint General Secretary and Minister Dipu Moni
The Daily info:-
The controversial former Education Minister, Dipu Moni, who had gone into hiding after the fall of the Awami League government, has been arrested. Over the last 11 years, she handled the responsibilities of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Education, and Social Welfare, but her tenure as the Education Minister was the most talked about. Allegations of widespread corruption in the education sector under her watch have surfaced, with claims that she misused her power to control five private universities in the country.
According to sources familiar with Dipu Moni’s activities, she had a hand in everything from the appointment of secondary school teachers to university vice-chancellors. It is alleged that she demanded bribes of 20 million BDT (approximately $200,000) for appointing a vice-chancellor and 5 million BDT (approximately $50,000) for appointing a college principal. This corruption was an "open secret" during her tenure, but no one dared to speak out due to fear, including the secretaries of her ministry.
During her time in power, two secretaries spoke to this reporter about her practices. Despite knowing about these irregularities, they did not protest due to Dipu Moni's influence within the Awami League government. All recruitment and transfers were reportedly managed through her brother, Dr. Jawadur Rahim Wadud Tipu. One secretary eventually left her department due to the controversies, and her private secretary (PS) also chose to leave voluntarily.
2 Crores for Vice-Chancellor, 50 Lakhs for Principal Appointments:
While serving as Education Minister, Dipu Moni allegedly established a vast recruitment empire through her brother Tipu. The most talked-about issue was the appointment of vice-chancellors in public universities and principals in colleges. It is reported that she demanded 20 million BDT (approximately $200,000) for appointing a vice-chancellor in a mid-level public university and 5 million BDT (approximately $50,000) for appointing a college principal. Her brother Tipu reportedly controlled every transfer in the education administration, with amounts ranging from 200,000 BDT (approximately $2,000) to 2 million BDT (approximately $20,000) depending on the position.
For instance, Tipu is said to have taken 20 million BDT for the appointment of a vice-chancellor in a public university in the Chittagong division. After a recommendation from the Prime Minister's Office, Tipu allegedly informed the candidate through an intermediary that a few individuals were willing to pay the 20 million BDT required to become a vice-chancellor. After considering the advice that one recruitment under his supervision would recoup the amount, the candidate eventually agreed to pay.
Financial transactions reportedly occurred in the appointment of vice-chancellors in all public universities, excluding Dhaka University (DU), Rajshahi University (RU), Chittagong University (CU), and Jahangirnagar University (JU). Towards the end of her tenure, the phrase "Pay 2 Crores, Become VC" became widespread, leading to a flurry of recruitment-related scandals in public universities.
An official from the University Grants Commission (UGC) remarked that there was no precedent for financial transactions in the appointment of public university vice-chancellors in Bangladesh's history, but Dipu Moni set this precedent.
Secretaries and PS Voluntarily Leave:
A senior official of the Ministry of Education revealed that a secretary at the time protested against Dipu Moni's irregularities and corruption and informed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. However, no action was taken, and the secretary was compelled to transfer out of the Ministry of Education. He is now holding the second-highest position in the administration. Additionally, Dipu Moni's PS at the time also left her service voluntarily.
Dr. Abdul Alim, who was Dipu Moni’s former PS and is now a joint secretary at the Public Service Commission, stated, "I left after being promoted to the position of joint secretary. Regarding Dipu Moni's brother, I only met him three times during my three and a half years as PS. So, what you’ve heard about him, I’ve heard the same. I cannot say more than that."
Dipu Moni Seized Control of 5 Private Universities:
During her tenure as Education Minister in 2022, a group, allegedly led by Dipu Moni, took control of the top private universities North-South and Manarat International University under the guise of changing their trustee boards. The trustee boards of North-South and Manarat were reconstituted with Awami League mayors, businessmen, bureaucrats, and academicians. Similarly, Bangladesh International University and the International Islamic University in Chittagong were taken over in the same manner. Although attempts were made to seize Bangladesh Islami University and Primeasia University, Dipu Moni could not complete the process. After the 2024 elections, she was transferred to the Ministry of Social Welfare. The process of seizing these two universities was continued by the former Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, although he was also unsuccessful.
The Directorate of Education Engineering (EED) receives the lion’s share of the education development budget. This department is responsible for developing physical infrastructure, constructing new buildings, expanding and maintaining existing buildings, repairing and refurbishing them, and supplying furniture across the country. It also manages the installation of multimedia classrooms, ICT labs, internet connections, and ICT facilities. The entire control of this department, which receives the largest portion of the education development budget, was reportedly in the hands of Dipu Moni’s brother Tipu, who took a 5% commission from all contractors.
359 Crore Corruption in Technology University in Chandpur:
Dipu Moni allegedly engaged in a scheme involving 3.59 billion BDT (approximately $35.9 million) in corruption in land acquisition alone for Chandpur University of Science and Technology in her home district. Before land acquisition for the university, her close relatives reportedly forged deeds for 62.5 acres of land at 20 times the mouza (village) rate. They completed the land registration in their names before the administrative approval for land acquisition. Subsequently, this land was selected by the proposed university authority, and the district administration was instructed to acquire it. An extra 3.59 billion BDT was reportedly siphoned off from this process. This land acquisition was opposed by the then Deputy Commissioner Anjana Khan Majlis, who was known for standing against the land grabbing activities of Dipu Moni’s brother and other Awami League leaders in Chandpur. After protesting against the illegal acquisition of more than 48 acres of land through fake deeds, Majlis was transferred to Netrokona within 48 hours.
Dipu Moni’s Interest in Sand from Padma and Meghna Rivers:
Dipu Moni also reportedly had an interest in sand extraction from the submerged banks of the Padma and Meghna rivers in Chandpur. She allegedly granted the lease for sand extraction to Selim Khan, a Union Parishad (UP) chairman and filmmaker, who was known to be her close associate. Anyone who protested against Selim Khan’s illegal sand extraction from the Meghna River reportedly faced Dipu Moni’s wrath.
Recently, the same chairman Selim Khan and his son were killed in a mob attack. Dipu Moni is accused of being the key supporter behind Selim Khan’s illegal sand extraction empire. Leaders within the district Awami League have repeatedly pointed fingers at these two individuals over the years.
Chandpur district Awami League leaders stated that Selim Khan was involved in petty crimes at one point. After the Awami League came to power in 2009, he formed a close relationship with Dipu Moni and began sand extraction from the Meghna River. Due to his years of illegal sand extraction, Selim Khan was often referred to as "Sand Eater Selim" or "Smuggler Selim."
Dr. Manzur Ahmed Chowdhury, the former Chairman of the National River Protection Commission, lost his position after criticizing the sand extraction. During a discussion on World Rivers Day last year, he mentioned that those involved in illegal sand extraction from the Meghna had connections with a female minister from Chandpur. Two days later, he was removed from his position as Chairman of the National River Protection Commission before the end of his term.
Dipu Moni’s Brother’s ‘Tipu Nagar’ on Government Land:
In Baherchar, Nilkamal Union, Dipu Moni’s brother Tipu reportedly seized a vast amount of government land, where he established fish enclosures, cattle farms, and vegetable gardens. Not only did he gain control over the land, but he also renamed the area after himself as ‘Tipu Nagar.’
25 Crore Commission Every Three Months from Notes and Guidebooks:
Despite the ban on the sale of notes and guidebooks under the new curriculum, they are still widely sold across the country. A study shows that 97% of students rely on notes or guidebooks. Although Dipu Moni publicly opposed the sale of these books, she allegedly received regular commissions from the sellers, assisted by the owner of a publishing house based in Chandpur.
A Dhaka-based notes and guidebook publisher reported that Dipu Moni received at least 250 million BDT (approximately $2.5 million) every three months as commission.
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