Nasrul Hamid Bipu, former State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, allegedly ran a vast family-controlled corruption network that drained over Tk1 lakh crore from Bangladesh’s energy sector during his decade-long tenure. The scandal centers around the use of insider influence, shell companies, and no-bid contracts to redirect public wealth into private hands.
Bipu’s relatives — including his wife, son, brother, and maternal uncle — are at the core of this alleged syndicate. Investigations reveal that the Power and Energy Ministry became a lucrative channel for self-enrichment, operating more like a private enterprise than a public institution.
One of the most striking examples involves the proposed Matarbari LPG terminal project, a $305 million initiative with Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC). A key consortium member, PowerCo International — with a paid-up capital of just $100 — was reportedly controlled by Bipu’s family. Documents link its ownership to Kamaluzzaman Chowdhury, Bipu’s uncle and a senior figure in the Hamid Group, the family’s business empire.
PowerCo shared personnel and a business address with Delco Business Associate, another family-run entity previously managed by Bipu himself and now controlled by his son and brother. The Baridhara-based property also houses showrooms for international furniture brands distributed by Delco. Digital records and company filings confirm a dense overlap between the entities.
Despite the Matarbari project being canceled, PowerCo and its consortium partners secured hundreds of millions of dollars in other contracts, including three no-bid LNG supply deals for Dutch-Swiss firm Vitol, and a solar MoU with Japan’s Marubeni — both companies with a history of bribery and corruption scandals abroad.
Beyond these deals, Bipu’s brother Intekhabul Hamid and a former minister’s nephew allegedly obtained Tk8,000 crore worth of public contracts via shell companies between 2018 and 2023. These include smart metering projects, IT infrastructure, and a Tk2,300 crore REB contract to install 5 million meters. Whistleblowers claim bribes were required at 20 different approval stages under Bipu’s rule.
In the final analysis, the Power and Energy Ministry under Bipu became a de facto extension of his family’s business interests. From foreign energy giants to local shell firms, public service was subverted for private gain — with long-term damage to public trust and national energy policy.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
