Allegations of widespread irregularities, illegal occupation and manipulation of leases have surfaced over valuable Bangladesh Railway land in Kashiani upazila of Gopalganj.
The allegations include leasing the same plot to multiple individuals, issuing nominal leases, allocating multiple parcels to a single person, constructing structures in violation of lease conditions and illegally occupying railway property.
An influential syndicate is allegedly controlling parts of the railway's valuable land in the area, with allegations of collusion involving some railway officials and employees.
The lack of proper monitoring has reportedly allowed government property to be occupied, while families who surrendered their land for railway projects have allegedly been deprived of lease benefits.
An investigation found that farmer Shahidur Rahman Sardar of Chaptagram village under Ratail Union handed over 34 decimals of land to the government in 2012 for a railway project.
The land, located beside his homestead, remained unused for years. Shahidur cultivated crops there and planted fruit trees to support his family of five.
His wife, Rahima Begum, applied to the Pakshi Divisional Estate Office on October 12, 2025, seeking a lease of the land.
However, it is alleged that her application was not disposed of and the land was instead allocated to another individual, Sirajul Islam, within two months.
Shahidur alleged that he was assaulted when he protested against the occupation of the land. He also claimed that the fruit trees he had planted were cut down.
During a visit to the area, this correspondent found that around 10 bighas of railway land beside the railway line in Chaptagram had been enclosed with a wire fence by Sirajul Islam.
Local residents alleged that they were unable to protest against the occupation because of his influence and threats.
Sirajul denied the allegations, saying he had obtained the land through a legal lease.
“I took the land on lease by following government rules. I have the legal right to cut the trees on the leased land. I will undertake further projects across the land,” he said.
Another serious allegation concerns 0.24 acres of railway land under Dag No 1299 in Bhadulia Mouza.
Gopal Chandra Biswas of Ghonapara village reportedly obtained a lease for the land in 2024.
However, the same parcel was subsequently leased to another person, Gloria Biswas Madhu, by the Pakshi Divisional Estate Office of Western Railway.
The dispute over the same land allegedly resulted in clashes, lawsuits and police harassment.
In connection with the incident, Nitai Biswas, Gopal Chandra's younger brother, was temporarily suspended from his job. He worked as a spray mechanic at the upazila agriculture office.
The incident has raised questions about the role of officials responsible for protecting railway property and maintaining accurate records of leased land.
Md Ariful Islam, Divisional Estate Officer of Bangladesh Railway's Western Zone in Pakshi, said he had not received any complaints regarding the alleged irregularities.
“I have not received any such complaint. If a written complaint is submitted, an investigation will be conducted and action will be taken against those involved,” he said.
He also said conflicting leases would be cancelled if irregularities were established.
