When Shajahan Khan served as Bangladesh’s Minister of Shipping from 2009 to 2019, he wielded near-absolute control over the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA). His decade-long rule transformed him into the “godfather” of river transport. It wasn’t merely about infrastructure-it was about creating a shadow syndicate that persisted even after his rise was halted. Despite losing his ministerial post following the change in government, sources reveal that Shajahan’s network continues to wield power within BIWTA. His allies, posing under the facade of the Awami Sramik League, are reportedly reshaping a new regime of dominance across the organization.     (See Page-2)
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Complicity runs deep: dishonest officials, entrenched during his tenure, have aligned with the syndicate, stifling accountability and fuelling institutional instability.
Syndicate’s Legacy of Fear and Monopoly: During Awami League’s last stint in power, BIWTA became a fortress of patronage. Contractors, employees, and ordinary citizens were subject to arbitrary control: Business was tightly monopolized: No contractor could secure work outside Shajahan’s inner circle. Recruitment, promotions, contracting, and wharf leasing were all manipulated under political directives. The water bus project on the Buriganga River-launched with fanfare in 2010-exemplified the scale of corruption. Though each water bus reportedly cost just Tk 50-60 lakh to construct, official records inflated the cost to between Tk 40-50 crore each. Sceptics suggest up to Tk 300 crore could have been misappropriated.
As of investigations, these vessels have since lain abandoned-rusting and unmanned at Badamtoli ghat. Terminals are overrun with drug addicts, displaced individuals, and dereliction.
Likewise, sources describe how Abdur Rashid, close to Shajahan, secured exclusive dredging contracts and built a dry dock on Karnaphuli River-all facilitated through political patronage and abuse of authority.
Exposé of Corruption: ACC Cases Against the Family: The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has formally indicted Shajahan Khan and his family: The ACC filed three charges-accusations include illegal asset accumulation amounting to Tk 25 crore. Allegedly, Shajahan amassed Tk 11.36 crore independently, his wife Tk 4.47 crore, and his son Tk 9.89 crore. Suspicious transactions totalling Tk 86 crore were traced to his bank accounts. His daughter is also under scrutiny.
August-September 2024: The ACC launched inquiries into Shajahan’s wealth and later arrested him on charges including irregular plot allocations and financial improprieties. Despite these legal directions, many report that BIWTA’s internal environment remains unchanged-complaints filed within the ACC seem stalled or unresolved.
BIWTA’s Broader Woes: Corruption Beyond Politics: Shajahan’s case sits within wider corruption trends at BIWTA: Dredging irregularities have rendered nearly 10 navigable waterways unusable between Dhaka and the southwest, undermining river transport and freight operations. Multiple BIWTA engineers and officials have faced bribery charges over dredging projects in the past. 
This pattern of graft, manipulation, and infrastructural collapse reflects systemic breakdown across the institution.
A Political Operator Rooted in History: Shajahan Khan’s trajectory is emblematic of entrenched political power: Entering politics in 1964 as a student leader, he rose through ranks as a transport union president, JSD convener, and eventually MP-elected eight times between 1986 and 2024.
Despite controversies-including his infamous smiling remark following a deadly road accident in 2018-Shajahan cultivated a loyal cadre and institutional grip over the shipping and transport sectors.
Public Consequences: The fallout of his syndicate’s rule is not academic; it impacts public life: Legitimate procurement has been sidestepped, sidling private profiteering. 
River transport-once a vital artery-is severely compromised. A once-promising water bus initiative now symbolizes waste: abandoned vessels, non-functional terminals, and no agency oversight. Despite widespread outrage, enforcement remains weak and fragmented.
Public Sentiment: Frustration Echoed Online: Online forums reflect broader public anger; while not specific to BIWTA, they echo frustration: “Ahh classic. Wouldn’t be BD without corruption.” “They compromised integrity... flushing public resources for self gain.” These sentiments resonate with experiences of misuse across public institutions.
Reckoning Ahead: What Must Change: Experts say these steps are vital to rebuild BIWTA: Enforce Anti-Corruption Rulings: ACC cases must move quickly to prosecution and asset recovery. Break Political Patronage Networks: BIWTA leadership should be digitized with transparent hiring and contracting. Restore Integrity in Public Projects: Rehabilitate waterways and relaunch initiatives like water buses under strict oversight. Institutional Oversight: Empower independent watchdogs and empower civil society monitoring. Revive Transport as Public Good: Focus on functionality, access, and equity-not profit.
 At a Crossroads: Shajahan Khan’s imprint on BIWTA is a testament to how entrenched power undermines public institutions. His fall should mark a turning point, not just a headline. Unless decisive action is taken, BIWTA risks becoming a broken relic of cronyism rather than a service for the people. If Bangladesh is serious about reclaiming functionality-particularly in water transport-it must dismantle criminal syndicates entrenched in the system, not merely publicize their downfall.