Son of a Rickshaw Puller, Owner of Crores in Assets

Questions over source of wealth after seven years in government service | Allegations of using questionable certificates for employment

The Ministry of Housing and Public Works has long faced allegations of corruption and irregularities. Over the years, numerous investigative reports have raised questions about alleged financial misconduct and illicit wealth involving officials and employees of the ministry. Against this backdrop, serious allegations have now emerged against Md. Sohel Mia, a government employee who served as a personal officer to senior political and government officials.

Sohel previously served as a personal officer to ministers and state ministers of the Awami League government. Following the political changeover on August 5, he was also appointed as the personal officer to Adilur Rahman Khan, then an adviser to the interim government.

His continued presence in a sensitive position despite successive political transitions has raised questions about his influence and connections within the ministry.

According to allegations made by several individuals, Sohel used his access to important government files and documents to influence decisions concerning postings, transfers, tenders, plot and flat allocations, land and property-related matters. Some complainants have also alleged that financial benefits were obtained from various parties in exchange for such influence.

However, the allegations require independent investigation and verification by the relevant authorities.

Flat and Car Registered in His Rickshaw-Puller Father’s Name

One of the most striking questions concerns the assets registered in the name of Sohel’s father, Md. Fazlul Haque.

According to information cited in the report, a 1,358-square-foot flat in Mirpur Section-16 was allegedly allocated in Fazlul Haque’s name through the National Housing Authority on July 15, 2024, under a reserved quota.

Local residents reportedly said Fazlul Haque had long earned his livelihood by driving rickshaws, vans and auto-rickshaws. The allocation of a reserved-quota flat in the capital in his name has therefore raised questions about his financial capacity.

On October 15, 2025, a 1,500cc Japanese Toyota private car was also reportedly purchased in Fazlul Haque’s name. The vehicle is identified in the report as bearing registration number Dhaka Metro-Gha-29-1365. Sohel’s associates have also claimed that another expensive vehicle is connected to the family.

Government Job in 2018, Contracting Firm a Year Later

Sohel joined government service on September 13, 2018, arf&zj?s a Steno-Typist-cum-Computer Operator.

Just over a year later, on September 29, 2019, a first-class contracting firm named Messrs Nexus Enterprise reportedly obtained a trade licence from Kalihati Municipality in Tangail. The proprietor was listed as his father, Fazlul Haque.

According to the report, a bank account was opened in the company’s name on October 6, 2019. The account reportedly had a balance of Tk 1,049,524 as of February 16, 2020.

The circumstances surrounding the establishment and operation of the company, including its source of capital and actual management, warrant scrutiny.

First-Class Contractor Without Experience?

Another significant allegation concerns Nexus Enterprise’s enlistment as a first-class contractor with the Education Engineering Department on February 3, 2021.

The report claims that the company had no significant prior experience at the time and alleges that the influence of then State Minister for Housing and Public Works Sharif Ahmed may have been used in securing the enlistment.

This allegation should be verified through official procurement and enlistment records.

Land, Market and Luxury House in Kalihati

Sohel’s ancestral home is in Kalihati Municipality of Tangail. The report claims that a substantial amount of property has been accumulated in the names of his family members.

Among the assets cited is approximately six decimals of land near Sonali Bank on Hospital Road, reportedly purchased in his father’s name. The local market price was estimated in the report at around Tk 30 lakh per decimal. A market is reportedly being constructed on the land.

Local residents reportedly estimated that approximately Tk 2.5 crore had been spent on the market’s construction by November 2025, although this figure requires independent verification.

The report also alleges that a travel agency business was established near Fakirbari Road in Kalihati for Sohel’s younger brother, Anwar.

Nearby stands a house identified as “Fazlul Haque Villa,” reportedly located at Holding-385, Road No. 5, Satutia East Para, Kalihati, Tangail.

Local residents claim that the family’s financial condition changed significantly after Sohel entered government service, with properties allegedly acquired in the names of his father, brothers, in-laws and other relatives.

Questions Over Educational Certificates

Questions have also been raised over Sohel’s educational qualifications and certificates allegedly used in connection with his government employment.

According to the report, Sohel completed his SSC in 2003 and HSC in 2006 from Kalihati R.S. Pilot High School, followed by a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Dhaka in 2010.

The report further states that he obtained certificates for two six-month courses in 2016—one in Computer Office Application from a technical training institution in Tangail and another in Diploma in Multilingual Secretarial Science under an ICT institute in Bogura.

However, the report claims that Sohel’s name could not be found in the relevant office register of SIT Foundation and that questions have also been raised over the signatures appearing on the certificates.

Another issue is that the two six-month courses were reportedly undertaken during the same period in two different locations—Tangail and Bogura.

These allegations require verification from the relevant educational institutions, examination boards and the appointing authority.

From Govt Employee to Influential Personal Officer

Sohel joined government service on September 13, 2018.

On April 6, 2023, he was reportedly posted as the personal officer (additional charge) to the Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, working at the State Minister’s office.

Later, on September 25, 2024, he became the personal officer to then adviser Adilur Rahman Khan.

It was reportedly after this appointment that allegations concerning his influence became more prominent.

Tenders, Transfers, Plots and Flats: How Extensive Was His Influence?

Several officials and individuals associated with the ministry have allegedly claimed that Sohel’s direct access to the adviser’s office gave him knowledge of important files and decision-making processes.

The allegations include attempts to influence:

• Transfers and postings within the Public Works Department;

• Plot and flat-related matters at RAJUK;

• Allocations under the National Housing Authority;

• Development projects;

• Major tenders and contracting works;

• Project approvals and related files.

Some complainants have further alleged that a network was created to communicate with individuals having vested interests in these matters and obtain financial or other benefits.

No conclusive judgment can be made on these allegations without documentary evidence, financial records and statements from the individuals concerned.

Does His Wealth Match His Salary?

When Sohel joined government service, his salary scale was reportedly Tk 11,000 to Tk 26,590.

According to the report’s calculations, his government salary and benefits during the first several years of service may have amounted to approximately Tk 20–25 lakh.

Against this, the report points to a range of assets allegedly held by his family, including a flat in Mirpur, a private car, land, a market and a residential property in Kalihati.

This raises a fundamental question: How were these assets acquired within such a short period, and what were their sources of financing?

A review of property deeds, bank transactions, income-tax returns, asset declarations and the income and expenditure records of the family members concerned could provide the answer.

Assets in Relatives’ Names—But Who Controls Them?

One of the key issues emerging from the allegations is that a significant portion of the family’s reported assets is registered in the names of Sohel’s father and other relatives.

Local residents have questioned whether Fazlul Haque’s reported financial background is consistent with the scale of assets now associated with his name.

Determining the actual ownership and source of these assets would require examination of bank records, tax documents, land deeds and financial transactions.

Sohel’s Response

Attempts were reportedly made several times to contact Md. Sohel Mia by phone to obtain his response to the allegations. He allegedly did not answer the calls. A text message was subsequently sent, but no response was received.

As a result, his position on the allegations could not be included in the report. His response, if received, should be published accordingly.

Will the Authorities Investigate?

The allegations surrounding Sohel raise several questions that warrant official scrutiny:

How did a government employee accumulate substantial assets within a few years? What are the sources of those assets? How was a contracting business operated in his family’s name after he entered government service? Were the educational certificates submitted during his recruitment genuine and valid? And did he exercise undue influence over tenders, transfers, postings and property allocations?

These questions can only be conclusively answered through a transparent and independent investigation.

The Anti-Corruption Commission, the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, the National Housing Authority, RAJUK, the Public Works Department and the relevant educational authorities could examine the allegations and determine whether any laws, service rules or procurement regulations were violated.

At a time when expectations for transparency, accountability and institutional reform are high, allegations of this magnitude cannot simply remain unresolved.

The  questions therefore remain: Who enabled Sohel’s remarkable rise—and what is the real source of the wealth associated with his family?