Former Cabinet Secretary Kabir Bin Anwar, currently under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for alleged accumulation of wealth beyond known sources of income, is reportedly in hiding to evade arrest and potential harassment from law enforcement following the filing of three cases against him concerning the deaths of three BNP and Jubo Dal activists during the mass protests in July and August.
Law enforcement is actively working to locate and apprehend him, with local politicians and civil society members strongly urging authorities to secure his arrest by any means, drawing parallels to the recent arrests of former MP for Sirajganj-2, Jannat AraTalukder Henry, and her husband, former Zilla Parishad Chairman Shamim Talukder Labu.
The incident in question involved the deaths of Sohanur Rahman Ranju, Vice-President of Jubo Dal’s Sirajganj District Unit, Chhatra Dal activist Md. Sumon, and Jubo Dal activist Abdul Latif, who were fatally shot during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
In response, separate murder cases were filed at SirajganjSadar Police Station by Ranju’s wife, Moushumi Khatun of Masumpur village, Sumon’s father, Ganjer Ali of Gayla village, and Latif’s sister, Saleha Khatun, naming over 900 individuals as suspects, including former Cabinet Secretary Kabir Bin Anwar, former MP Habib-e-Millat Munna, and Jannat Ara Talukder Henry and her husband, ShamimTalukder Labu. Kabir Bin Anwar, also known locally as “Kala Manik,” reportedly leveraged his father’s close association with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his role as the first President of Sirajganj District Awami League to gain the favour of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. According to sources, Anwar used this connection to develop a direct relationship with Sheikh Hasina, allegedly enabling him to wield significant influence. This connection is said to have discouraged many ministers and government secretaries from speaking out against his activities for fear of professional repercussions.
With the former Prime Minister’s favour, Anwar reportedly took control of various high-value projects, especially in Sirajganj, amassing substantial illegal wealth despite being a government official. His reported assets include luxury properties, modern flats, garden houses, and entertainment facilities across Dhaka, Gazipur, Saint Martin’s Island, Cox’s Bazar, and Sirajganj. Allegedly, he hosted gatherings involving celebrities and models at these venues, engaging in anti-social activities during private events held at locations like his garden house, Saint Martin’s Island, and Cox’s Bazar.
Further allegations claim that Kabir Bin Anwar ranks among the top ten bureaucrats who amassed fortunes through illicit means during the Awami League government’s tenure. As former Director General of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Project Director of A2I, he allegedly involved friends and relatives in various construction ventures, gaining wealth through inflated allocations for dubious projects.
Sirajganj resident Manik Chowdhury filed a formal complaint with the ACC on January 11, 2021, accusing Anwar of accumulating illicit wealth worth several crores. Chowdhury urged the ACC to scrutinise recent WDB allocations in Sirajganj, alleging that Anwar misappropriated significant sums through various projects awarded illicitly to his relatives and associates. The complaint calls on the ACC to examine Water Development Board allocations during Anwar’s tenure, asserting that most contracts were awarded to his associates and family members in exchange for substantial bribes.
The complainant believes a thorough investigation will reveal the full scope of Anwar’s alleged corruption. Following the Awami League government’s loss of power, the ACC has begun reviewing the accusations, and a formal letter has been sent to the Water Development Board to gather information.
According to claims, Anwar would collect financial shares after subcontracting project work to various associates. Project allocations mentioned in the complaint include Tk 70 crore to Sultan Mahmud from Soyagabindapara in Sirajganj Municipality, Tk 85 crore to Jakir Hossain from Hossainpur, Tk 40 crore to Nasimur Rahman from Diardhanghora, Tk 10 crore to Rashed Yusuf Jewel from Stadium Road, Tk 20 crore to Abdullah Bin Ahmed, Tk 20 crore to Hossain Ali from Dattabari, Tk 25 crore to ShamsuzzamanAlo from Soyadhanghora, Tk 12 crore to BadrulAlam from Janpur, Tk 80 crore to Selim Reza from Pechorpara village in Kamarkhandaupazila, Tk 30 crore to Hira from Jhaoil village, and Tk 15 crore to Sanowar Hossain from NandinaMadhu-all allegedly facilitated by Anwar’s abuse of power.
Those benefitting from these projects reportedly held significant influence, with many heading committees responsible for controlling drug use and terrorism in their regions.
In numerous cases, bills were allegedly withdrawn despite incomplete work. Anwar’s sister-in-law’s brother, Shamimur Rahman Shamim, reportedly handled most of the tender processes through manipulation, working out of Amlapara in Sirajganj town. His accomplices, including a drug associate named Hiron and cousins Tarun and Arif, allegedly assisted in operating a syndicate that influenced ministry affairs and tender allocations.
Anwar allegedly pressured Water Development Board (WDB) engineers to inflate project budgets and awarded contracts bypassing formal tender processes under special provisions. Additionally, he is accused of securing excessive allocations for projects and repeatedly extending project durations. Reports claim over Tk 30,000 crore was embezzled through inflated project costs during his tenure.
In Sirajganj alone, several project costs reportedly escalated five to six times above standard budget levels. For example, the River Bank Protection project in Singrabari, Patgram, and Baoikhola in Kazipurupazila of Sirajganj saw costs soar to Tk 73 crore per kilometre, far exceeding the usual Tk 12-17 crore.
During his tenure as Secretary of Water Resources, the ex-bureaucrat allegedly engaged in irregularities, including manipulating the recruitment process and awarding contracts without proper tendering. His relatives reportedly controlled WDB operations in Sirajganj, sidelining assigned officials and exercising unchecked influence over projects, which allegedly allowed Anwar to further expand his wealth through ventures such as dairy farms, resorts, and oil mills.
Anwar is also accused of establishing an “Isabela Foundation,” named after his mother, through which he allegedly engaged in extortion. He is said to have surrounded himself with Awami League affiliates and often travelled in a pleasure barge named ‘Turjyo’ while being accompanied by armed guards and various women.
Kabir Bin Anwar could not be reached for comments on these allegations, as his phone remained switched off despite multiple attempts to contact him.
