Toma Group and Max Group, two of the country's most talked-about contracting companies, have controlled almost all of Bangladesh Railway's projects during the 16 years of the previous Awami League government. They have grabbed work worth at least Tk 30,000 crore on various projects through political influence. After getting the job by creating a powerful syndicate in the high positions of the railway building, they repeatedly increased the project duration and cost and embezzled at least 10,000 crore taka. The directors of the two companies smuggled a large part of the looted money abroad by opening fake LCs in the name of importing equipment used in the contract work.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has confirmed the truth of these allegations in multiple investigations. Multiple investigations by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) have confirmed the truth of these allegations. The directors of Toma and Max Group involved in the investigation include Max Group Chairman Golam Mohammad, his wife and group director Kaniz Fatema, Toma Group Chairman Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan, his daughter and group director Rasnat Tarin Rahman, and his son and another director of the group, Mukitur Rahman.
A report will be submitted to the commission soon, recommending cases against them. If the commission approves, a case will be filed.
The directors of Tama and Max Group have already been banned from traveling abroad to prevent them from fleeing the country. The trial court issued the ban order following an application by the ACC.
In this regard, ACC Deputy Director (Public Relations) Akhtarul Islam told Khabarer Kagoj that various allegations of corruption related to Toma and Max Group are being investigated. The responsible investigating officers submit a report to the commission after completing the investigation as per the ACC laws and rules. If the report recommends filing a lawsuit and the commission approves it, the next legal process will begin.
It is learned that complaints were filed with the ACC in 2018 against the directors of Toma and Max Group for allegedly embezzling huge sums of money by repeatedly increasing the duration and cost of various projects, including the Rajbari-Tungipara railway project, the Ishwardi-Dhalarchar railway project in Pabna, the construction of a new railway line from Dohazari in Chittagong to Cox's Bazar via Ramu, and the Akhaura-Laksam railway line construction project. Although investigations into some complaints have been initiated, the files have ultimately remained closed due to political influence. After the change of government last year, more new complaints have come in. The file investigation process has also started anew.
Meanwhile, the ACC began investigating Tama and Max Group in January 2023 on charges of corruption worth Tk 3.5 billion in the Akhaura-Laksam dual-gauge double-line construction project. After investigating for one and a half years, the matter was filed. That file was then activated last March and a four-member special team was formed under the leadership of ACC Director Md. Abul Hasnat to conduct a reinvestigation.The other members of the team are Assistant Directors Ashiqur Rahman, Al Amin and Deputy Assistant Director Sabikun Nahar. The team members have already collected project-related documents. The truth of the allegations was found in the review of the documents.
Rajbari-Tungipara Project
Max Infrastructure and Tama Construction jointly got the contract for this project. The cost of this project, which was taken up in 2010 without any feasibility study, was estimated at Tk 1,101 crore. Although the project was supposed to be completed by 2013, it was completed 5 years later in 2018. During that time, the time was extended three times, and the construction cost was increased by Tk 934 crore. That is, the project of Tk 1,101 crore has become Tk 2,35 crore. There are allegations that at least Tk 1,500 crore has been embezzled in this project.
Pabna Ishwardi-Dhalarchar Railway
Max Group was awarded the contract to build a railway line from Ishwardi to Dhalarchar in Pabna. Although the work was supposed to be completed within 5 years, it was extended by three and a half years and completed in 2018. The initial cost was estimated at Tk 983 crore in 2010. The cost was increased by Tk 1,715 crore in 3 phases. Only one train is running in this project, which cost about Tk 2,000 crore. However, 20 to 28 trains were supposed to run on this route.
Dohazari-Ramu-Cox's Bazar Railway
The construction of a new railway line from Dohazari in Chittagong to Cox's Bazar via Ramu was the most discussed project during the previous government's tenure. The most allegations of money laundering have been found in this project. The cost of constructing 101 kilometers of railway line in this project was estimated at Tk 1,834 crore in 2016.
