Morshed Billah, joint convener of Chittagong district (north) unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, along with some like-minded associates set up a real estate company named GTC Properties and Term Builders about seven years ago.
Being influenced by his political identity and so-called social reputation, one Firoz Alam invested Tk65 lakh to purchase a flat of the company’s Nimtola project in Chittagong city. Firoz got the money after he went on retirement.
His friend Hefzatur Rahman also invested about Tk16 lakh in the same project. Both the friends died, but their family members are yet to get flats or get back the invested money.
Not only the duo but also many stakeholders, who invested money in different projects of the company, lost their huge savings maybe forever as company owner Morshed Billah had fled to Dubai with their money amounting to Tk200 crore.
Babul Akhter, additional deputy commissioner of Detective Branch of Chittagong Metropolitan Police said,“Morshed Billah is accused in 24 cases lodged with different police stations in the port city. An arrest warrant had also been issued against him.”
“He took about Tk200 crore from several thousand stakeholders who invested their entire life’s deposits in his so-called projects,” Babul added.
DB Assistant Commissioner Anwar Hossain said they were hunting for him (Morshed) as allegations had been brought against him for embezzling money from flat buyers.
According to local sources, Morshed comes of an insolvent family at Azadi Bazar village under Fatikchhari upazila in Chittagong.
As his father was a day labourer, Morshed was engaged as a house tutor for bearing his educational expenses. When he was a student of political science department at Chittagong University, he resided at a rented tin-shed room in the port city.
According to Chittagong University sources, Morshed first joined Islami Chharta Shibir as the university’s student politics was dominated by the organisation, but he joined JCD later.
He along with some of his friends set up the real estate company and started collecting money deceiving people, DB sources said.
After becoming millionaire from a house tutor, Morshed also started donating his illegal money to militant activities while his name was at the top of the intelligence report.
Quoting an intelligence report, Sub-Inspector Mohammad Sharif of Hathazari police station said Morshed provided money to the militants.
Abul Hossain, Hefzatur Rahman, Mahmudur Rahman, Mohsin Haider Sikdar, Md Shahnewaj, Abdul Jabbar and Jesmin Akhter filed cases against him.
DB Inspector Liakat Ali said 24 cases had been filed against him so far, but most of the victims had not lodged any case as “they still hope that they will get their flats one day”.
Jamal Hossain, former director of GTC Properties and Term Builders said, “Morshed Billah has not only deceived the stakeholders, but also us.”
Morshed along with his family members is now in Dubai, Jamal said, adding that he has started up garage business there with the money he took from stakeholders.
“He was scheduled to arrive in the port city on June 1, but he had not come back.”
According to local sources, he had not returned home as law enforcement agencies were still looking for him.
“He donates money in every function in the locality and welfare of the society,” said a next-door-neighbour seeking anonymity.
Another resident Abdul Ohab said Morshed helps the local people if they get into any trouble. “He gave me Tk50,000 for my daughter’s wedding and also helped me build my residence,” Ohab said.
The BNP and its associate organisations now do not own Morshed due to his recent past activities.
Sarwar Uddin, president of Chittagong district (north) unit of JCD said, “We feel embarrassed at his activities, but we can do nothing until the central committee takes action against him.”
Gazi Mohammad Siraz Ullah, president of JCD city unit said, “It is business related issue. But we do not expect this type of activity from a party leader.”