Concord Group Sued Over Fatal Falling Rod Incident

Legal proceedings have been initiated against the top brass of Concord Group, one of Bangladesh’s leading real estate developers, following the tragic death of 35-year-old Ashfaquzzaman Chowdhury. The victim, an employee of a multinational corporation in Gulshan, was fatally struck by a falling steel rod on Thursday afternoon. The incident has sparked a contentious debate regarding construction site safety and liability in the high-density Gulshan-1 commercial district.

The Allegations and Legal Action

The victim’s father-in-law, Sirajul Islam Talukdar, filed a formal complaint at Gulshan Police Station on Friday, naming Concord Group Chairman SM Kamal Uddin (72) and Managing Director Shahriar Kamal (45) as primary defendants. The First Information Report (FIR) also lists 10 to 12 unidentified individuals as accomplices. The prosecution contends that the death was the direct result of “extreme negligence and criminal irresponsibility,” arguing that the developer failed to implement mandatory safety netting and overhead protection at their construction site.

According to the FIR, the incident occurred between 2:00 pm and 2:45 pm on 22 January. Mr Chowdhury was reportedly standing on the pavement in front of House 22, Road 140, when a metal rod plummeted from a significant height, piercing his skull. Despite being rushed to United Hospital by colleagues, he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Incident Summary and Legal Status

Concord’s Counter-Claims: Pointing the Finger

In a formal written rebuttal, the Concord Group has vehemently denied that the rod originated from their “25th Concord MBI Skyline” project. Instead, the firm alleges that the projectile fell from a neighbouring structure known as the Crystal Place building.

Concord’s statement claims that at the time of the accident, glass cleaning work was being conducted on the Crystal Place building using a suspended platform. They argue that this work was being carried out in an “extremely unsafe manner” and that a small piece of steel rod fell vertically from the roof of that building. The group further alleged that they possess video evidence showing glass cleaning staff hurriedly removing their equipment immediately after the strike.

Police Investigation and Local Testimony

On-site inspections by Gulshan Division Deputy Commissioner Rownak Alam and other senior officials have provided a clearer picture of the geography. Local witnesses observed that the victim was standing directly in front of Crystal Place, while the Concord construction site is situated on the opposite side of the road.

The police have confirmed that they are reviewing CCTV footage from multiple angles to trace the exact trajectory of the falling object. “A case has been filed, and we are investigating the claims of both the complainant and the developer,” stated Deputy Commissioner Alam.

The death of Mr Chowdhury, originally from Banshkhali in Chattogram, has once again brought the issue of public safety in Dhaka’s construction zones to the forefront. Under current municipal laws, developers are strictly required to use heavy-duty safety nets and catch-platforms to prevent debris from reaching public footpaths.