Engineer Md. Khalequzzaman Chowdhury of the Public Works Department (PWD) was previously punished in a departmental case over allegations that he used a fake PhD certificate and forged documents to obtain higher-education leave and stay abroad. A departmental investigation found the allegations of forgery and misconduct to be proven, after which he admitted his wrongdoing. However, he received only a minor disciplinary penalty, with his annual salary increment suspended for one year.
According to official documents and people familiar with the matter, within a few years of the disciplinary action, Khalequzzaman secured promotions to several key positions, allegedly using political and family connections. He is currently serving as the chief engineer of the PWD on a current-charge basis. Allegations have also been raised that seniority rules were violated in the process of making his position permanent.
Documents reviewed from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and the PWD show that a departmental case was filed against Khalequzzaman in 2016 over allegations that he used a fake offer letter and forged documents to obtain a deputation to Australia. Following an investigation that found the allegations proven, then Public Works Secretary Md Shahid Ullah Khandaker suspended his annual salary increment for one year on August 23, 2016.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Khalequzzaman avoided a harsher punishment by identifying himself as a “nephew” of then Awami League leader Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury. However, Sajeda Chowdhury’s son, Sajed Akbar, said he did not know Khalequzzaman and was unaware of any such relationship between his mother and the engineer.
Allegations of Rapid Promotions
According to his government service record, Khalequzzaman Chowdhury was promoted to the post of superintending engineer on July 22, 2019. Just a few months later, on December 15, he was promoted to additional chief engineer. Officials familiar with the matter allege that the latter promotion was granted without properly following the established seniority rules.
His Personal Data Sheet (PDS) shows that during his government career from 1989 to 2025, he spent nearly 11 years in Australia on deputation and leave. Sources allege that he returned to the country whenever opportunities for promotion arose.
Officials familiar with the matter also alleged that Khalequzzaman’s political affiliations changed after the July uprising. He reportedly introduced Dr Habiba Akter Chowdhury (Sweety), wife of Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, as his “aunt”. Sources allege that he used this family connection to gain political influence and professional advantages.
On October 27, 2025, Khalequzzaman was appointed chief engineer of the PWD on a current-charge basis, allegedly superseding five senior engineers. Before that, he had served as additional chief engineer of the Gopalganj PWD Zone.
Case Information Allegedly Used Against Seniors
To make the position of chief engineer permanent, the Ministry of Housing and Public Works sent a list of five additional chief engineers to the Ministry of Public Administration on July 6 for consideration by the Superior Selection Board (SSB). Allegations have been raised that the list did not properly follow administrative seniority.
According to the official seniority list, additional chief engineers Md Abul Khayer and Utpal Kumar Dey are senior to Khalequzzaman. However, Khalequzzaman’s name was allegedly placed at the top of the list sent to the SSB. The list also includes Md Shahidul Alam and Dr Mohammad Giasuddin Haider.
According to documents and sources familiar with the matter, the names of the senior officials, along with those of a total of 47 engineers, were allegedly included in the accused list of a case filed with Rampura Police Station after the July uprising. Sources allege that documents relating to the case were submitted to the SSB in an attempt to weaken the senior officials’ positions and clear the way for Khalequzzaman’s appointment. The allegation could not be independently verified.
Allegations over Transfers and Tenders
After taking charge as chief engineer, Khalequzzaman faced allegations of a “transfer-for-money” scheme within the department. According to people familiar with the matter, officials and engineers at different levels were allegedly asked to pay between Tk 1 million and Tk 10 million to secure preferred postings. However, no independently verifiable financial transaction records supporting these allegations were available to this correspondent.
On March 3 this year, more than 50 executive engineers, sub-divisional engineers and assistant engineers were transferred in a single order. The large-scale reshuffle was reportedly carried out without informing the ministry, prompting the housing and public works minister to seek an explanation from the chief engineer. After his response was deemed unsatisfactory, most of the transfers were cancelled through separate orders issued on March 5 and 8.
Khalequzzaman has also faced allegations of seeking financial commissions in connection with major project tenders. Five high-value tenders under Dhaka PWD Division-1, Division-3 and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar PWD Division-2 were reportedly sent back for re-evaluation. People familiar with the process allege that the tenders were held up under the pretext of re-evaluation because the expected financial benefits were not received. No official confirmation of these allegations was available.
A written complaint has reportedly been submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against Khalequzzaman, alleging corruption, document forgery, violation of seniority rules and acquisition of illegal assets. Several officials and contractors who claim to have been affected have reportedly submitted documentary evidence directly to the ACC.
‘People Create New Family Ties When Power Changes’
Sajed Akbar, son of Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, said many people used to visit his mother because they lived in the same constituency, and some sought to establish family ties to remain close to those in power.
However, he said he did not know Khalequzzaman and was unaware whether the engineer had any personal acquaintance with his mother.
Adil Muhammad Khan, president of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners and an urban planner, said appointing an official whose involvement in forgery or corruption had been established to head an important institution could pose a serious risk to the country and the organisation.
He said appointments should be preceded by thorough background checks into the professional and administrative records of officials. He also stressed the need to ensure that competent and honest officials are not deprived of promotions because of political influence or unethical practices.
Attempts were made to obtain Khalequzzaman Chowdhury’s comments on the allegations. He could not be found at his office on August 10. He was later contacted by phone and sent text messages, but he did not respond.