Bangladesh civic group seeks corruption investigation into abandoned research project

Five people have been accused of embezzling money allocated for a research shed that was never built at the Madaripur Regional Pulse Research Center in Bangladesh, according to a report in Somoy TV.

The government allocated 600,000 taka (approximately $4,870) for the project in the 2024-25 fiscal year. The report said the project deadline expired two years ago and the full bill was withdrawn on paper, although no construction took place.

The proposed site is now abandoned and covered with weeds and garbage.

Those accused include project director Dr. Selim Ahmed and accounts officer Nahida Akter. Ahmed, who became scientific officer and project director on April 1, 2024, acknowledged that the shed had not been built.

“The construction has not happened, that is true, but it will happen,” Ahmed said, citing a lack of suitable space.

The Conscious Citizens Committee called the alleged scheme “a circle of corruption” and urged the Anti-Corruption Commission to intervene.

A local member of Parliament said officials would be brought under the law if the allegations were supported by evidence.