630kg VGF Rice Seized from Ex-Councilor's Home in Faridpur

A mobile court has seized 630 kilograms of government-allocated VGF (Vulnerable Group Feeding) rice from the private residence of a former municipal councilor in Boalmari, Faridpur.

The rice, which was specifically allocated for local Imams and Muazzins ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, was recovered during a raid at around 8:30 pm on Wednesday. The discovery of government aid in a private home has sparked significant debate across local political and administrative circles.

Acting on a tip-off, Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Shibbir Ahmed led the raid at the home of Abdus Samad Khan—a Jamaat-e-Islami worker and former councilor of Ward No. 6 in Andharkotha village. Municipal Executive Officer Moniruzzaman and local law enforcement assisted in the operation.

"We recovered 12 full sacks and an additional 30 kg of retail rice, totaling 630 kg," Magistrate Shibbir Ahmed told reporters. "The seized rice has been documented and handed over to the municipality. The process of filing a regular case regarding this incident is underway."

While the VGF rice was legitimately allocated for religious clerics, locals and political figures have questioned why state food items were stored in a private residence rather than a designated municipal warehouse.

Upazila BNP General Secretary Sanjay Saha demanded strict accountability. "Government aid is meant for the poor and those serving religious institutions. Finding this rice at a former councilor's house is highly suspicious. A proper investigation must be conducted, and action taken against those responsible," he said.

The accused, Abdus Samad Khan, strongly denied any misappropriation, claiming he was the victim of a political frame-up. "Every year, the rice designated for the Imams and Muazzins is brought to my house for distribution. I have no personal motive here, and I am being harassed politically," Khan stated.

Supporting Khan's timeline of events, Boalmari Imam Parishad General Secretary Saheb Ali clarified that the rice had been transported from the municipality around 3:00 pm that day. "It was kept at Samad Khan's house to be distributed among the Imams and Muazzins next Monday. However, the administration intervened and confiscated it before that could happen," Ali explained.

Despite the defense, authorities emphasize that storing government relief materials in an unauthorized private home is a violation of official protocol.