CCC official served show-cause notice over alleged Tk 8cr deal for DC post

A show-cause notice was served on SM Sarwar Kamal, chief revenue officer of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC), over allegations of signing a Tk 8 crore financial agreement to secure the post of deputy commissioner (DC) of Cumilla.

The Local Government Division (LGD) under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives served the notice, issued on May 13 signed by Deputy Secretary Robiul Islam.

The notice said the preliminary evidence gathered from various sources suggested that Sarwar Kamal had signed an agreement and deed of commitment with the Chattogram divisional commissioner, promising Tk 8 crore in exchange for the posting.

The ministry directed the official, who holds the rank of deputy secretary, to submit a written explanation within three working days as to why departmental action should not be taken against him over the allegations.

Although the deadline expired yesterday, it could not be confirmed officially whether he had submitted his response.

Repeated attempts to contact Sarwar Kamal by phone went unanswered, and his mobile phone was later found switched off.

However, speaking to the media earlier, he strongly denied the allegations, claiming his signature had been forged to create fake documents.

“I have not entered into any such agreement,” he said.

Sarwar Kamal was posted to the CCC on deputation in January last year. The post of deputy commissioner is equivalent in rank to his current administrative position.

CCC Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain also did not respond to phone calls seeking comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Md Ziauddin expressed shock over allegations linking him to the reported deal. “I am utterly surprised and shocked,” Ziauddin told The Daily Star.

“A divisional commissioner plays absolutely no role in the appointment or transfer of deputy commissioners. My name has been dragged into this maliciously. This seems to be a deep-rooted conspiracy,” he added.

He also questioned the ministry’s procedure in handling the matter.

“In such sensitive cases, a show-cause notice is typically issued only after a preliminary investigation finds some truth to the allegations. I asked ministry officials why they issued such a letter without conducting any prior inquiry,” he said.

However, the divisional commissioner clarified that the ministry had not issued any formal show-cause notice to him over the matter.