Former Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Mustafa Jabbar has been accused of irregularities and corruption amounting to Tk 500 crore.
Since assuming his role in the ministry, he allegedly formed a syndicate and initiated multiple projects in the name of digitalisation. Moreover, he siphoned off money from each project.
During his tenure, the Bangla typing software “Avro” was persecuted. Recently, the interim government announced the Ekushey Padak for those involved in the development of Avro.
According to sources, after the interim government assumed power, a committee was formed to investigate corruption in projects under the two ministries. The committee reportedly found evidence of irregularities and corruption in various projects undertaken during Mustafa Jabbar's tenure. A report on the probe has been submitted to Adviser Nahid Islam.
Regarding this matter, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury told Bangladesh Pratidin that the probe committee was formed on the adviser's instructions. During the investigation, evidence of corruption in projects undertaken by Jabbar was revealed.
People familiar with the matter stated that after Jabbar took charge, the ministry was largely dominated by Radisson Digital Technologies Limited. The company supplied digital equipment, built the data wire housing and business intelligence system for the government telecom operator Teletalk Bangladesh Limited, established the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) for the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC), managed the Minimum Wages Board, and supplied various equipment, including telecommunications devices, laptops, and mobile phones to government offices.
Additionally, major irregularities and fraud were discovered in the Learning and Earning Development Project (LEDP), a government initiative. Investigations revealed that Radisson Digital Technologies Limited, responsible for field-level implementation, withdrew funds using falsified information. Despite clear evidence of corruption in this project aimed at creating skilled manpower, the ICT Division failed to take any action.
Instead, the division facilitated further fund allocations, with allegations against Jabbar for exerting undue influence. At the time, seven organisations lodged written complaints with the minister after being denied project work, but no action was taken.
Regarding these irregularities and corruption, information technology analyst and former BASIS president Fahim Mashroor stated that Radisson held significant influence when Jabbar was the ICT and telecom minister. “No other company was awarded contracts during that period,” he said.
He further alleged that funds from the SOF were diverted into projects in Jabbar’s own electoral constituency. Radisson alone received projects worth nearly Tk 200 crore from the ICT Division, while total contract allocations exceeded Tk 500 crore.
Mashroor also pointed to political interference in BASIS, an organisation previously free from political influence until Jabbar’s tenure. He mandated the use of Bijoy software, developed by his company Ananda Computers, in mobile phones, ensuring financial benefits for his business. Furthermore, he banned the use of the free typing software Avro and harassed its developers.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir strongly criticised the mandatory inclusion of the Bijoy keyboard in mobile devices. “This decision directly benefits Mustafa Jabbar’s company, which is a grave misuse of power,” he remarked.
In this context, information technology analyst Mohiuddin Ahmed accused Mustafa Jabbar of promoting his own business while in office. “He even attempted to make his own app, Bijoy, mandatory. Despite promises of a digital revolution, actual implementation was never realised,” he said.
Ahmed further mentioned that there was intense conflict between Jabbar and the ministry's secretary, primarily due to nepotism and corruption on both sides. He urged the interim government to conduct a thorough probe into all of Jabbar’s alleged misdeeds.
Translated & edited by Fariha Nowshin Chinika
