A contractor and a businessman have called for legal action against two joint secretaries of the Medical Education and Family Welfare Division, accusing them of corruption and misconduct.
On October 12, Abul Kalam, a businessman from Mohammadpur’s Babar Road, submitted three formal complaints to Nurjahan Begum, Advisor to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Public Administration Secretary, and the Health Secretary. These complaints were against two officials: Joint Secretaries Mallika Khatun and Mohammad Abdul Quader.
Responses to the Allegations
Mallika Khatun denied the allegations, calling them baseless. She maintained that she is an honest government employee and that the accusations were unfounded. In contrast, Abdul Quader declined to comment on the matter when approached.
Details of the Accusations
Businessman Azad alleged that Khatun and Quader were part of a politically motivated syndicate within the department. He claimed that Khatun had been leading this group for the past nine years, engaging in activities such as manipulating transfers, controlling medical university syndicates, increasing seats in medical, dental, and nursing colleges, approving new institutions, and influencing both doctor transfers and tender processes. Abdul Quader was reportedly involved behind the scenes.
Azad further accused the syndicate of coercing vice chancellors of various medical universities to award tenders to their associates in exchange for commissions. According to him, Khatun, with the help of former Health Education Secretary Azizur Rahman (now an Officer on Special Duty), secured tenders worth Tk 10,000 crore for four medical universities in favor of her husband, a businessman.
Khatun’s Defense
Mallika Khatun refuted these claims, stating that her husband is a garment manufacturer with no involvement in any contracting business. She added, “My husband has no connection with any business related to tenders.”
The complaint also alleged that Khatun took bribes through her associates, Tariq Hasan and architect Manjurul, to influence appointments for key positions such as doctors, professors, principals, and officers.
Call for Legal Action
Azad has urged authorities to form an impartial committee to investigate the allegations and take appropriate legal action against the accused officials.
Unavailable for Comment
Attempts to contact former Health Education Secretary Azizur Rahman and architect Monjurul for their comments were unsuccessful, as they were not reachable by phone.
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