Tk602 Crore Plundered from Manipur School

An educational institution is meant to shape a nation, with teachers instilling morality and honesty in their students. However, a starkly different scenario unfolded at Manipur School and College in Mirpur, Dhaka, where the governing body president and the principal built mountains of wealth. Through overcharging students, misappropriating government funds, commercializing recruitment, and engaging in unbridled irregularities, this duo embezzled over Tk 600 crore across a decade and a half.

Around 29,000 students study in this reputable institution. Massive sums were plundered in their name, spanning building construction, teacher recruitment, special allowances, printing costs, advertisements, and even government tax and VAT. From 2009 to 2024, Kamal Ahmed Majumder, the former Member of Parliament for the Dhaka-15 constituency, maintained absolute control over the president's post and led these corrupt activities. He was aided in the misappropriation of funds by the acting principal he appointed, Farhad Hossain.

During the tenure of the Awami League government, not a single word could be spoken against the institution. Despite numerous allegations of irregularities, no investigations or audits were conducted. Finally, officials from the Directorate of Inspection and Audit (DIA) carried out a thorough probe. The investigation report exposed an appalling picture of corruption. The inquiry committee, led by Education Inspectors Abu Daud and Rashidul Hasan, has recommended both departmental and legal actions against the accused. Currently, Kamal Majumder is in prison facing multiple charges, including murder, while the former principal, Farhad, is on the run.

According to the investigation report, a total of Tk 602 crore 75 lakh was looted from the institution over the last 16 years. This includes evidence of embezzling Tk436 crore in the construction and development of eight multi-story buildings, Tk87 crore 84 lakh in academic and city allowances, Tk36 crore 75 lakh through VAT and income tax evasion, and Tk11 crore 43 lakh under the guise of printing and publishing costs. Although routine audits were mandatory, the last audit at Manipur School took place back in 2009. Due to Kamal's absolute political clout, no state agency dared to conduct an audit. The current school authorities informed the probe committee that the previous administration removed numerous crucial documents just before August 5, 2024. Long before that, in 2013-14, vital files, including deeds, were destroyed under the pretext of turning the institution into a trust.
Ghost Recruitments

Over the past 16 years, 662 teachers and employees were hired illegally, making up three-fourths of the total staff. Shockingly, 74 of them do not even possess a teacher registration certificate. These recruitments completely bypassed job circulars, examinations, or any vetting processes. The current acting principal, Sirajul Islam, claimed that these individuals are still being retained in order to keep 62 academic sections functional.
Here is the translation of the remaining portion of the report into English, maintaining a professional and clear format:
436 Crore Looted Under the Guise of Building Construction

When it comes to infrastructural development at the institution, the theft was monumental. Over the past 16 years, the DIA found conclusive evidence of Tk436 crore 12 lakh being plundered across various development sectors, including the construction of eight multi-story buildings at the main campus as well as the Ibrahimpur, Shewrapara, and Rupnagar branches.
Tk11 Crore Embezzled in Printing Costs

A total expenditure of Tk11 crore 43 lakh was shown for printing services between the fiscal years 2009 and 2025. However, the audit team flagged the supporting documents provided by the institution as highly suspicious. The audit team noted that showing an expenditure of Tk11 crore solely on printing—despite the institution owning its own printing press—is highly unusual and constitutes direct embezzlement.
Tk87 Crore Irregularity in City Allowances

Severe financial irregularities were unearthed regarding the distribution of "Academic Development Allowance" and "City Allowance." Flaunting all rules and regulations, a total of Tk 87 crore 84 lakh was disbursed to teachers and employees under these two sectors. This included Tk63 crore 48 lakh allocated as academic development allowance and Tk24 crore 36 lakh as city allowance. No requisite documentation supporting the approval or necessity of these allowances could be found.
Tax and VAT Worth Hundreds of Millions Embezzled

For years, the institution deducted source income tax and VAT across various sectors but failed to deposit the funds into the government exchequer, choosing instead to siphon the money off. Between 2009 and 2025, a total of Tk36 crore 75 lakh collected as VAT and taxes from special class honorariums, governing body honorariums, and institutional property was never credited to the government treasury. The audit team has ordered that this money be immediately deposited into the state treasury.

Professor M. M. Shohidul Islam, Director of the DIA, confirmed that the finalized audit report has already been submitted to the Ministry of Education. The ministry will now take necessary steps based on the findings. Meanwhile, Education Minister Ehsanul Hoque Milan stated that he has not yet had the opportunity to review the audit report, as his review was slightly delayed due to his absence from the country.