NBR’s Shahidul owns another Tk 10 billion in assets in home village, including 500 acres of land

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) official Shahidul, who was previously reported to own assets worth more than Tk 40 billion (400 crore) in Dhaka—including 53 apartments and 15 plots—has now been found to possess another estimated Tk 10 billion (100cr) worth of property in his home area.

In his native village in Morelganj, Bagerhat, Shahidul has established a college in his father's name at a reported cost of around Tk 400 million. He and his wife have also purchased at least 5,000 decimals (approximately 50 acres) of land. The properties include several multi-storey and two-storey buildings. It has also been alleged that he used his influence to appoint his maternal uncle—who had never worked as a teacher—as the vice principal of the college.

On June 1, Asia Post published a report titled "NBR's Shahidul Owns 53 Apartments and Tk 40 Billion Worth of Assets in Dhaka." Following that report, further investigations in Shahidul's hometown uncovered an additional estimated Tk 10 billion worth of assets.

The investigation found that over the past four years, Shahidul has purchased vast tracts of land throughout his village. He established a college in his father's name, spending nearly Tk 500 million. Land has also been reserved for constructing a future hospital. In addition, he has spent millions of taka on a mosque and local infrastructure development.

While some local residents view these activities as philanthropic initiatives, many others have questioned the source of his sudden and enormous wealth.

A College Worth Nearly Tk 500 Million Named After His Father

Fulahata village in Baharbunia Union under Morelganj Upazila of Bagerhat has long remained underdeveloped and neglected. Visitors still have to travel over brick-paved and dirt roads to reach the area. Yet standing prominently in the village is a massive educational institution named Mosharraf Hossain College.

A large signboard welcomes visitors at the entrance. The campus features a spacious playground in front and designated land behind it for future residential facilities for teachers and students. According to the Baharbunia Union Land Office, the college occupies 18 acres (approximately 1,800 decimals) of land, with the main academic building covering about 1.5 acres.

No official records regarding the construction cost are available. However, based on interviews with local residents, college insiders, and an analysis of current market prices, Asia Post estimates that the infrastructure alone cost at least Tk 350 million to build. An additional Tk 35 million was reportedly spent acquiring and filling the land.

Uncle With No Teaching Experience Appointed Vice Principal

The college employs 21 teachers. Serving as vice principal is Zakir Hossain, the maternal uncle of the institution's founder, Dr. Shahidul Islam.

According to regulations, a vice principal must have at least 15 years of teaching experience. However, Zakir Hossain had never worked as a teacher before being appointed to the post.

Speaking to Asia Post on the college campus, Zakir Hossain said, "Three years ago, Dr. Shahidul Islam established this college to promote education for the local people. Several doctors and government officials also contributed, but he himself financed most of the project. The goal was to expand educational opportunities for this underprivileged community."

He also said Shahidul had spent a significant amount of money beautifying a mosque adjacent to the college.

On condition of anonymity, several teachers at the college said approximately Tk 50 million has been deposited in a fixed deposit receipt (FDR) at Islami Bank's Morelganj branch. The profit generated from that deposit is used to cover part of the teachers' salaries and the institution's operational expenses. Financial transactions are managed through the Fulahata Islami Bank Agent Banking branch.

Land Registered in His and His Wife's Names

Asia Post obtained land records showing that Shahidul, members of his family, and Mosharraf Hossain College collectively own 390.72 decimals of land in North Fulahata Mouza of Morelganj.

Among these holdings:

Shahidul owns 119.72 decimals under plot numbers 636 and 613.

His wife, Fahmida Rakhi, and his father, Mosharraf Hossain, jointly own another 166 decimals across three separate plots.

Mosharraf Hossain College owns an additional 105 decimals under plot numbers 249, 250, and 365.

However, local residents claim these documented holdings represent only a fraction of Shahidul's actual land ownership.

Located directly opposite the college is Shahidul's ancestral home.

Neighbor Sultan Hossain Molla told Asia Post, "Over the last four years, Shahidul bought land and built the college. During that period, he purchased between 80 and 90 bighas (about 2,700 decimals) of land. One landowner initially refused to sell, but Shahidul later paid him Tk 1 million and purchased that plot as well."

According to local residents, Shahidul continued acquiring land even after completing the college, gradually bringing more surrounding areas under his control.

Land Reserved for a Future Hospital

Local sources say Shahidul plans to build a hospital adjacent to the college in the future, which is why he has continued purchasing land around the campus.

Neighbor Sultan Hossain Molla said the primary reason behind these continued land acquisitions is Shahidul's plan to establish a hospital there.

Expanding Landholdings Around the Family Home

Visitors entering Shahidul's ancestral home first notice a small mosque and the graves of his parents. A well-designed two-storey house stands nearby, currently occupied by his aunt.

Residents say the family originally lived closer to the river but later relocated after Shahidul's father, former Thana Education Officer Mosharraf Hossain, built the current residence.

Locals claim Shahidul has purchased approximately 90 bighas of land surrounding the family home over the past four years. Based on current market prices, the land is estimated to be worth more than Tk 50 million.

Property in Khulna City as Well

Shahidul's assets extend beyond his village.

His uncle and the college's vice principal, Zakir Hossain, said Shahidul also purchased a house on Bankers Lane adjacent to Bagmara Government Primary School in Khulna city.

Local residents estimate that at least Tk 200 million was spent on constructing or acquiring that property.

Overall, Shahidul is reported to have purchased a total of 5,166 decimals of land in his home area during his government service. Based on an average price of Tk 40,000 per decimal, the total purchase cost is estimated at Tk 206.64 million.

Earlier Report Found Tk 40 Billion Worth of Assets in Dhaka

Before uncovering these additional assets in his hometown, Asia Post had already obtained evidence showing that Shahidul and his wife own more than Tk 40 billion worth of assets in Dhaka, including 53 apartments.

Shahidul Islam belongs to the 13th batch of NBR officers and is a colleague of Matiur Rahman, who became widely known in the highly publicized "goat scandal."

Shahidul Declined to Comment

Asia Post reporters visited Shahidul's residence in the Bashundhara Residential Area in Dhaka to seek his comments regarding the allegations.

Security personnel informed the reporters that Shahidul would not speak to the media.

Subsequent attempts to contact him by phone were unsuccessful. A message seeking his response was also sent via WhatsApp. Although the message was seen, no reply was received.