Staff Reporter | Dhaka

Allegations have surfaced against Mizanur Rahman, Chairman of ‘Purbachal Bestway City,’ and his associates for swindling at least Tk 1,600 crore from approximately 10,000 families through flashy advertisements and false promises regarding a housing project. Having received neither the promised plots nor a refund of their money over the past 18 years, the victims—now financially ruined—are knocking on the doors of the administration in hopes of justice.

On Saturday morning (October 10), the victims presented these allegations at a press conference held at the Bangladesh Crime Reporters Association (CRAB) auditorium in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. The event was organized by the ‘Purbachal Bestway City Plot Owners Society.’

Md. Shahadat Hossain, the organization`s General Secretary, read out the written statement at the press conference. Society Organizing Secretary Manjur Alam, Advisor Fazlul Karim, and other affected plot owners were also present.
18 Years of Fraud and Intimidation
The written statement revealed that since 2007, Tk 1,500 crore for plots and an additional Tk 100 crore for development fees were collected from farmers, expatriates, teachers, doctors, members of the police and armed forces, elderly pensioners, and orphans under the guise of plot allocations for Purbachal Bestway City. However, even after 18 long years, not a single plot has been handed over.
It was alleged that whenever victims demanded a refund or the handover of their plots, they were met with false lawsuits, physical attacks, and death threats. Several victims have already passed away, suffering from mental distress and a lack of medical treatment. At the press conference, Manjur Alam, the Society’s Organizing Secretary, stated, "Out of 10,000 plots, a mere 200 have been handed over in total, and the deeds for many of these lack legal validity. Infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and security measures is inadequate within the project area, rendering most of the land currently unfit for habitation." Advisor Fazlul Karim alleged that, in their twilight years, he and countless others were defrauded of vast sums of money through the use of multiple forged deeds.
The victims claim that instead of developing the project with the funds collected from customers, the accused syndicate purchased hundreds of bighas of land across various locations—including Kuakata, Cox`s Bazar, Rajshahi, Sirajganj, and Bhaluka—in their own names and those of their relatives. Furthermore, assets were illegally acquired abroad, and money was laundered internationally.
The victims` five-point demands:
During the press conference, five demands were raised to the government and administration, seeking justice against the fraudulent syndicate and appropriate compensation:
1. Form a high-level investigation committee comprising the ACC (Anti-Corruption Commission), CID, and RAJUK to immediately freeze all bank accounts and assets of `Bestway City`.
2. Impose a travel ban on Chairman Mizanur Rahman and other involved individuals, ensure their swift arrest, and mete out exemplary punishment.
3. Implement the proposed project or refund the victims` full payments—including interest—along with appropriate compensation.
4. Withdraw all harassing, false lawsuits filed against the victims and ensure their safety.
5. Establish a robust monitoring cell within RAJUK to prevent such fraud in the housing sector.
The victims have appealed to the Prime Minister to take immediate action by investigating this massive fraud and misappropriation of funds.