Allegations of Corruption and Abuse of Power Hit Nalchiti Islamia Fazil Madrasa Principal

A written complaint has been filed against Maulana Bahauddin, the principal of Nalchiti Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa, accusing him of widespread irregularities, corruption, and financial embezzlement.

Md. Shamsul Haque Jomaddar, an Ebtedayi-branch Qari who has been serving at the madrasa since September 2012, submitted the formal complaint to the Jhalakathi District Commissioner (DC), seeking immediate administrative intervention.

According to the complaint, Qari Shamsul Haque’s official salary under the Directorate of Madrasah Education’s Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme is set at Grade-14. However, Principal Bahauddin allegedly pressured him to sign the salary sheet of another Ebtedayi teacher, Md. Abdul Rahim Munshi (Index No. 2016886), whose salary is fixed at Grade-15. When Jomaddar refused to sign the discrepant document, the principal allegedly threatened him with administrative intimidation and dismissal.

The complainant further alleged that the principal leveraged political influence during the tenure of the previous Awami League government, appointing the former Jhalakathi Zilla Parishad Chairman and District Awami League President, Sardar Md. Shah Alam, as the madrasa’s governing body president through irregular means. Following the recent change in the political landscape, the principal reportedly formed a "pocket committee," irregularly assigning two key positions—vice-president and electricity category member—to the same individual.

The principal is also accused of financial misconduct regarding staff appointments. He reportedly accepted a bribe of BDT 1,50,000 in cash from Maulana Rezaul Karim, the former Imam and Khatib of the Nalchiti Court Mosque, in exchange for a teaching position. The principal allegedly returned the money only after a video documenting the transaction circulated on social media.

Furthermore, local residents noted that Bahauddin was previously dismissed from his role as Imam and Khatib of the Nalchiti Police Station Jame Mosque after worshippers refused to pray behind him due to separate financial irregularities.

The written complaint highlights additional institutional anomalies, including the unlawful promotion of a madrasa teacher, Md. Selim Khan (Index No. 1307208), which allegedly facilitated the embezzlement of state funds. Furthermore, while government regulations permit only one Social Science teacher position at the Fazil level—currently occupied by Machuma (Index No. 2102920)—the principal allegedly appointed and promoted a second individual to the same department in exchange for financial kickbacks. Allegations of financial deception have also been leveled against him by Md. Moslem Uddin, a teacher at a local Noorani Madrasa operating alongside the institution.

This correspondent made multiple attempts to reach Principal Maulana Bahauddin on his cellular phone for comments regarding these allegations, but he did not respond to the calls.