30/09/2024
"ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury: A Legacy of Power, Corruption, and Alleged Crimes in Raozan"
The article focuses on the controversial political figure, ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury, a former member of parliament (MP) from Chattogram-6 (Raozan) under the banner of the Awami League. Over the years, Fazle Karim has been accused of using his political power to intimidate opponents, suppress dissent within his own party, and seize lands illegally, among other serious allegations such as murder and forced disappearances.
Rise to Power
Fazle Karim's political career began before 1996 when he was associated with the National Democratic Party (NDP), a party opposed to the Awami League. The NDP had connections to the infamous war criminal Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, and Fazle Karim is related to Salahuddin as a cousin. In 1996, despite receiving an Awami League nomination, Fazle Karim lost the election by a large margin. However, in 2001, he was elected as a member of parliament under the Awami League banner, and he continued to be elected in 2008, 2014, 2018, and 2024. Both the 2014 and 2018 elections saw him win uncontested, reflecting his growing grip on power.
Allegations of Abuse of Power
After the 2014 national election, Fazle Karim allegedly became more authoritarian in his political approach. Reports suggest that he formed a private militia of around 70-80 men who helped enforce his control in the area. This enforcement often included violent tactics aimed at political opponents and even dissenters within his own party. Over 200 teachers and staff members in Raozan, including educational professionals, were reportedly unable to return to their workplaces due to fear of harassment or threats from Fazle Karim's forces. Additionally, it is alleged that many local government elections in Raozan saw uncontested results, with only candidates favored by Fazle Karim being allowed to run.
Land Seizures and Illegal Activities
Fazle Karim has been implicated in several cases of illegal land grabbing. One significant example is his development of a "garden house" in 2015 on 5 acres of land in Raozan’s Fakir Takiya area, part of which allegedly includes government land. Local officials have confirmed that about 2.38 acres of the land are classified as government land. Alongside this, other individuals have also accused Fazle Karim of seizing their ancestral lands.
Additionally, there are reports that Fazle Karim seized forest land for his projects. This includes allegations of appropriating 80 acres from the local forest department. Many local residents, such as Bakhtiar Uddin and others, have also claimed that their lands were forcibly taken for Fazle Karim’s construction projects, including shopping centers and petrol stations. These projects are spread across Raozan, including government-owned land.
Forced Disappearances and Murders
Perhaps the most grievous allegations against Fazle Karim include forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. For example, in 2017, central Chhatra Dal leader Nurul Alam was allegedly abducted by individuals posing as police officers. The following day, his body was found on the banks of the Karnaphuli River. His wife, Sumi Akhter, filed a case naming Fazle Karim and 17 others as responsible for the murder.
There are additional allegations of murders tied to Fazle Karim's associates. These include the 2013 killings of Mozammel Haque and Muhammad Suman in Bagowan, the 2015 murder of Jubo Dal leader Abul Hashem, and the 2019 murder of freedom fighter Nurul Azim. In 2020, Jubo Dal leader Abdur Rashid was also reportedly killed under similar circumstances. Fazle Karim is linked to all these incidents by the victims’ families.
Moreover, two political figures from the ruling Awami League, Azim Uddin Mahmud and Abu Zafar, have been missing since 2010 and 2011, respectively. Fazle Karim is accused of orchestrating their disappearances, though these allegations have not been substantiated in court.
Suppression of Religious Groups
Fazle Karim is also accused of suppressing religious freedom. In 2019, his forces reportedly demolished 46 offices and places of worship associated with the Muniria Youth Tabligh Committee, a Sufi-based spiritual group. The group has many followers in the region, and Fazle Karim allegedly saw them as political threats. The destruction of these facilities reportedly led to violence and the arrest of 742 followers, with many more being displaced from their homes and businesses.
Wealth Accumulation and Corruption
Over the past 16 years, Fazle Karim's wealth has reportedly increased by 11 times. In 2008, his declared annual income was approximately BDT 2.1 million (USD 19,000), but by 2024, it had grown to BDT 23.2 million (USD 210,000). While part of this income is attributed to his investments in agriculture and fisheries, there are widespread allegations that a significant portion of his wealth came from corrupt practices, including skimming from government development projects in Raozan. Contractors involved in these projects claim they were forced to pay Fazle Karim a 10% commission to receive contracts. Those who refused to comply were often barred from participating in government tenders.
Political Repression and the Fall of Fazle Karim
In addition to targeting opposition parties like the BNP, Fazle Karim is also accused of suppressing dissent within his own Awami League. Many prominent Awami League leaders from the Raozan area, including Abul Kalam Azad, Muslim Uddin Khan, and Debashish Palit, were allegedly forced into exile or prevented from contesting in local elections because they opposed Fazle Karim. Even some local government officials and educational professionals faced harassment if they refused to cooperate with his regime.
Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, Fazle Karim reportedly attempted to flee to India but was apprehended at the Brahmanbaria border. Since then, he has been held in Chattogram Central Jail, facing charges of murder, forced disappearances, land seizures, and illegal enrichment. Numerous lawsuits have been filed against him, and local authorities are working to reclaim lands that were illegally appropriated by him and his associates.
Fazle Karim’s Defense
Fazle Karim's wife, Rizwana Yusuf, has consistently denied all accusations against her husband. She claims that all charges are part of a political conspiracy aimed at discrediting his significant contributions to the development of Raozan. She insists that Fazle Karim was not involved in any criminal activities and has only worked for the betterment of his constituency.
Conclusion
The story of Fazle Karim Chowdhury paints a picture of a powerful political figure whose authority became synonymous with fear and oppression in the Raozan area. His ability to wield unchecked power for over a decade has resulted in numerous accusations of corruption, violence, and land grabbing. However, with the change in government, many victims are coming forward with their stories, and legal proceedings are beginning to take shape against him. It remains to be seen how the courts will address the numerous allegations of crime and corruption tied to his name.
