DIG Mozammel Exposed as Loot King

Bangla Press Desk:  Former Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Gazi Md Mozammel Haque, had joined the police service after taking an oath to uphold the sacred responsibility of maintaining law and order. However, it is alleged that he stained the sanctity of the police uniform by building an empire of corruption, looting, and land grabbing. Using his influence and connections with senior officials, he is accused of orchestrating land seizures, river encroachment, and establishing an extensive network of assets worth hundreds of crores of taka through calculated means.

Multiple investigations, documents, and complaints from local residents suggest that he effectively institutionalised corruption, using his rank as a tool for wealth accumulation. He retired last year as an Additional DIG, and locals have labelled him a “second Benazir”, referring to a former IGP accused of corruption.

Investigations further reveal that over his nearly 26-year career, he amassed assets worth hundreds of crores of taka. In Rupganj, on the outskirts of the capital, he allegedly controls a housing project spanning nearly 3,000 bighas of land acquired through various means. Adjacent to this lies a garden estate on nearly 100 bighas, currently valued at around Tk1.65 billion. In Bandarban, he owns a contiguous 175 bighas of land used for agarwood cultivation.

He also possesses substantial land in the Jinda Park area of Rupganj and has purchased several bighas of land in Narayanganj Sadar under his brother-in-law’s name. In Sarulia Tengra of Demra, 31 decimals of land houses Bridge Pharmaceuticals, registered in his wife’s name. In addition, assets including a resort on the Meghna River in Cumilla and properties in Sunamganj point to an extensive and remarkable accumulation of wealth.

It is learnt that the nominal “Ananda Police Housing” remained a sister concern of Ananda Properties until March 2024. Yet, following a report published on 31 March that year in Kaler Kantho regarding the vast wealth of former IGP Benazir Ahmed, the entity was hastily registered as a separate company with the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies in the first week of April.

Investigations indicate that hundreds of bighas of land ownership were created around a single housing project, with a significant portion later transferred to his wife’s name—an issue that has reignited controversy.

During a recent visit to Ananda Housing Society and Police Ananda Housing in Rupganj, vehicles owned by journalists were stopped by on-duty security guards, who denied entry. At present, no signboard bearing the name “Police Ananda Housing” was found; it has been renamed “Ananda Housing”. Guards stated they were instructed by “Sir” (Mozammel) not to allow unfamiliar individuals inside. They declined to comment on whether he still visits the premises.

When asked about any connection with police headquarters or other police members, guards said it was purely a private enterprise with no institutional link. Nearly two kilometres away, a big garden house surrounded by high boundary walls, barbed wire fencing, and equipped with high-powered CCTV cameras was observed, along with a cattle farm managed by several employees.

Rise of power and expansion of wealth: Mozammel joined the police in 1997 through the 17th BCS as an Assistant Commissioner. Over more than two decades, he held important positions, including a 15-year tenure in the development branch of police headquarters, which oversees land matters—an opportunity investigators allege he exploited for personal gain.

Documents suggest his family owns around 3,500 bighas of land across various districts, much of it transferred to his wife’s name. Experts say such transfers are a common tactic to evade liability during investigations.

Controversy behind “Ananda Police Housing”: The project near Purbachal in Rupganj was widely perceived as government- or police-backed due to the use of the word “police”. However, investigations found no legal cooperative or official link to police headquarters, indicating it is a privately driven enterprise. Nearly 3,000 bighas of land are being sold as plots under the project, now known simply as “Ananda Housing”. Another entity, Ananda Properties Limited, owned largely by his wife Farzana Mozammel, holds extensive land assets valued at approximately Tk66.5 billion.

Sources say the project began in 2007, after Mozammel started acquiring land in 2006. The inclusion of “police” in the name was allegedly intended for business facility.

Farzana Mozammel is listed as Managing Director of Ananda Properties Limited, registered on 16 June 2013. Documents show she owns 90 percent of the company’s 15,000 shares.

Elsewhere, he reportedly purchased 30 bighas of land in Olop village under Daudpur Union, now valued at nearly Tk300 million, and is constructing a house on 83 decimals of allegedly encroached government land in Gutiyabo mouza. Additional land acquisitions are ongoing, including nearly 100 bighas in Sunamganj worth around Tk 100 million.

Allegations of fear, pressure and coercion: Local allegations include forced land sales at nominal prices, threats, legal harassment, and even detention and torture to secure land transfers. Victims claim they received no relief despite allegations to various administrative authorities.

One allegation states that in July 2017, a local elderly man was detained for 13 days and allegedly tortured into transferring 62 bighas of land. The incident was widely reported at the time.

A significant portion of Mozammel’s wealth is held in his wife’s name, including 90 percent ownership of Ananda Properties Limited. Real assets are believed to far exceed declared figures. She also owns Bridge Pharmaceuticals in Demra.

Mozammel reportedly appeared openly in land transactions related to the housing project and signed documents as project director. Employees have acknowledged him as the real owner, though assets were strategically placed under his wife’s name to avoid legal complications.

In Haripur village of Cumilla’s Meghna upazila, assets in his wife’s name include a 200-bigha resort and fish farm called “Meghna Resort”, built on reclaimed river land, raising environmental concerns. Locals allege that sand filling has disrupted the river’s natural flow and restricted public access.

Despite longstanding media reports, no visible legal action has been taken, raising public concern.

Sources say Mozammel went into hiding briefly after the fall of the previous government but now moves openly. Local resident Sentu Mia alleged that 120 decimals of their farmland were filled with sand, destroying crops.

Further allegations suggest that sand was extracted from the Meghna River under the guise of dredging and partly used for private purposes, with the remainder sold.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is currently investigating Mozammel and his wife over allegations of acquiring wealth beyond known sources of income. Preliminary findings indicate significant discrepancies between income and assets for both.

The ACC has issued notices seeking wealth statements, which are now under scrutiny. Previously, a court ordered the seizure of 65 bighas of land and froze 28 bank accounts linked to Mozammel, his wife, and their child.

Experts have called for impartial investigation and exemplary punishment. Dr Umar Faruk of Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University warned that such misconduct could embolden others in law enforcement.

Transparency International Bangladesh’s Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said it is deeply unfortunate that some law enforcement officials, entrusted with upholding the law, are themselves involved in corruption, often shielded by powerful networks.

Correspondents from Rupganj and Cumilla (Meghna) contribute to this story. 

Source: Kaler Kantho