Corruption Alleged in Martyrs’ Cemetery Construction: Substandard Bricks Used

Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Adviser to the Ministry of Home Affairs, visited the mass grave site of the July Movement martyrs at Rayerbazar Cemetery in the capital. During his inspection, he expressed strong discontent after discovering that low-quality construction materials—including substandard bricks—were being used for building the cemetery infrastructure.

Incident Summary

Verbal Exchange During the Visit

During the site inspection, the Adviser noticed visibly poor-quality bricks being laid as part of the foundation work for the mass grave. He confronted the engineers and contractors responsible.

Highlights of the Exchange

Confrontation with the Engineer

The Adviser then called over the on-site engineer and interrogated him:

• Adviser: “Have a look at these bricks yourself. From where did you graduate?”
• Engineer: “From IUB (Independent University, Bangladesh).”
• Adviser: “You graduated from IUB? Then assess the quality of these bricks yourself!”

He then instructed the removal of the substandard bricks immediately.

Further Inspection and Orders

Lt. Gen. Chowdhury proceeded to a nearby area where crushed bricks and debris were piled. On inspecting these materials, he again expressed frustration over their poor quality and ordered their immediate removal.

This incident highlights concerns over corruption and negligence in a project of national and emotional significance—raising serious questions about oversight and ethical responsibility in the construction of memorial sites for national martyrs.