Latiful Azam, Kishoreganj (Nilphamari)
Although allegations of various irregularities and corruption including not reporting to office on time, recruitment without NTRC certificate and through fake Masters’ certificates, embezzlement of funds, and changing the name of the college during its establishment have been proven, no action has been taken against Mahbubar Rahman Shah, Principal of Dr. Asadur Rahman College in Magura Union of Kishoreganj Upazila of Nilphamari. It is reported that on August 27, 2024, former UP Chairman of the area Mahmudul Hasan Sihab Miah filed a written complaint against Principal Mahbubar Rahman Shah with the Upazila Nirbahi Officer. In view of the allegations, an investigation committee was formed against him. The investigation committee conducted an on-site investigation and found some evidence of these allegations against the principal. Then he submitted a report to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer to take action against him. Meanwhile, on the basis of the report, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer filed a complaint against the principal. But since the response to the complaint was not satisfactory, the then Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mousumi Haque sent a paper to the higher authorities of the college to take action against the principal Mahbubar Rahman Shah. But even today, no action has been taken against the principal. There has been a storm of discussion and criticism among the locals regarding this. According to the complaint source, the college was established in Magura Union in 2000 with the name Magura College. Since its establishment, it has been providing education with good reputation in the upazila, achieving satisfactory results. The institution was awarded the MPO on April 19, 2020. The institution was known as Magura College from the beginning, but in 2021, the college was renamed Dr. Asadur Rahman College. Later in 2006, Mahbubar Rahman Shah was appointed as the head and principal of the institution without any experience and without any government regulations. It is worth mentioning that in 2005, the recruitment process was started through a registration certificate by NTRC. But in 2006, questions were raised about how he got appointed and how he appointed other lecturers and employees without NTRC certificates. Because of this, the name of the principal has not been included in the MPO seat till date. It is also known that after the appointment of the principal, when he demanded a total bribe of Rs. 6/7 lecturers, when the appointed lecturers did not agree to it, the then governing body fired them in violation of government rules in order to achieve the personal interests of the president and principal and later appointed them in exchange for a large sum of money.  Since the principal and former president of the governing body are influential and powerful, from 2006 till now, he has appointed several teachers and employees by accepting huge bribes. He has embezzled lakhs of taka from various sectors including tuition fees set by the government, internal tuition fees of the college. Due to this, there has been an adverse reaction among the students and the public of this area. Talking to the complainant Mahmudul Hossain, it was learned that I have complained to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer on behalf of the local people against various irregularities and corruption of the principal. After investigating it and getting evidence, the investigators submitted a report against him. Later, in view of the report, the UNO sent a paper to the higher authorities to take action against Principal Mahbubar Rahman Shah. But no action has been taken till date. When contacted, Principal Mahbubar Rahman Shah said that a complaint was filed against me, an investigation was conducted and a report was submitted. A fresh investigation was conducted. Saying this, he hung up the phone.  It was not possible to get a statement from the former president of the governing body as he could not be contacted. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Pritam Saha said, “I am new to this and do not know about this. Action will be taken after knowing the matter.”