A deep dive into alleged corruption at Dhaka WASA: The legacy of Taqsem

The corruption allegations against Taqsem A. Khan, former Managing Director of Dhaka WASA, reveal a complex narrative of alleged embezzlement, favoritism, and systemic mismanagement over a 15-year tenure. Appointed in 2009 and repeatedly reappointed, Taqsem’s prolonged leadership of Dhaka WASA is now under scrutiny as multiple investigations by Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and other agencies have uncovered layers of alleged misconduct involving substantial public funds, flawed project implementations, and misuse of power. The ACC has reinitiated these investigations following Taqsem’s resignation in August 2024, which removed the influence he reportedly wielded to delay or suppress probes into his administration’s conduct.

Central to the allegations is a pattern of financial misappropriation across several major projects under Taqsem’s administration. In what has been described as one of the most extensive financial discrepancies within Dhaka WASA, the ACC has uncovered possible embezzlement of public funds totaling billions of taka. The Padma-Jashaldia Water Treatment Plant, for example, saw a purported Tk 1,100 crore in funds vanish amid inflated project costs and non-transparent expenditures.

Similarly, the Gandharbpur and Dasherkandi water treatment plants both faced significant irregularities, with alleged misuse of over Tk 1,000 crore in each project, hinting at systematic inflation of expenses and potential kickbacks to contractors favored by Taqsem’s administration. The Gulshan-Baridhara Lake Pollution Control Project also registered similar concerns, with Tk 50 crore reportedly missing due to mismanagement and alleged corrupt practices.

Permanent travel ban imposed on Taqsem A Khan

Beyond these projects, Taqsem’s tenure was marked by accusations of self-serving administrative practices. It is reported that Dhaka WASA’s cooperative society, tasked with collecting revenue, was itself exploited as a vehicle for financial gain. In a case filed by the cooperative society’s Secretary, Shahab Uddin Sarkar, Taqsem and several others stand accused of embezzling Tk 1.32 billion. According to the plaintiff, WASA funds intended for the society’s use were siphoned off in a series of unverified transactions conducted across multiple bank accounts. The cooperative reportedly received Tk 996.5 million between 2017 and 2018, followed by Tk 341.8 million for subsequent collection work; however, audit reports highlighted discrepancies where large portions of these funds were redirected, leaving only a fraction of the total amounts accounted for in the cooperative’s records.

Further complicating Taqsem’s legacy at Dhaka WASA are allegations of favoritism and irregular appointments, revealing a deeply rooted culture of favoritism. Multiple credible reports state that Taqsem consistently bypassed organizational norms to appoint personnel outside the agency’s established framework, often paying inflated salaries to individuals with questionable qualifications or connections. From 2018 to 2022 alone, WASA reportedly disbursed Tk 1.98 crore to employees who were allegedly appointed without adherence to merit or recruitment regulations. Many of these appointees held positions created under Taqsem’s discretion, effectively cementing a network of favored individuals who reportedly enjoyed lucrative salaries and benefits without clear roles or responsibilities. This practice of selective hiring was compounded by Taqsem’s alleged suppression of dissent within the organization, where employees critical of his practices were reportedly reassigned to fewer desirable roles.

In addition to these specific financial and administrative misconducts, there are broader accusations against Taqsem of manipulating the institutional framework of Dhaka WASA to consolidate his power. His repeated reappointments—amounting to six extensions—were reportedly facilitated by his influence over government decision-makers, allowing him to remain at the helm despite numerous calls for reform. This entrenched influence, according to critics, enabled him to stymie early ACC investigations and resist accountability measures that may otherwise have curtailed the alleged misappropriations. Taqsem’s influence reportedly extended to maintaining a close network within the organization, where favored contractors and employees alike contributed to a cycle of financial and operational malfeasance.

Following Taqsem’s resignation in August 2024, the ACC and related bodies have renewed efforts to examine the alleged misconduct in detail. Key steps include a travel ban imposed on Taqsem to prevent his departure from the country during the investigation. Additionally, the ACC has formally requested documents from the Ministry of Local Government regarding his appointment and project approvals, seeking transparency around the processes that underpinned these alleged irregularities. In what could become a pivotal case in public sector accountability in Bangladesh, the ACC’s renewed vigor in investigating Taqsem’s tenure reflects a shift towards dismantling entrenched networks of power that previously hindered oversight.

The implications of Taqsem’s alleged corruption at Dhaka WASA extend beyond the specific projects under scrutiny, affecting public trust in essential service agencies and prompting questions about governance integrity across Bangladesh’s public sector. Dhaka WASA, responsible for the capital’s water and sewage management, plays a vital role in public health and infrastructure. Yet, under Taqsem’s leadership, allegations suggest it has been plagued by a lack of accountability, where public resources meant to enhance water and sanitation infrastructure were instead diverted through a network of favoritism and corrupt practices.

The ACC’s investigation into Taqsem represents a critical test of Bangladesh’s commitment to addressing corruption within its public agencies, particularly in sectors that directly impact citizens’ quality of life. Should the ACC succeed in holding Taqsem and his associates accountable, it could pave the way for more stringent anti-corruption frameworks within the public sector, setting a precedent for transparency and ethical governance. However, the complexities of the case, involving high-profile individuals and substantial sums, underscore the challenges in dismantling deeply rooted networks of power and privilege. The renewed investigation signals an opportunity for reform, one that could redefine the accountability standards expected of leaders within Bangladesh’s essential public services.

Ultimately, the outcome of this case will likely have lasting consequences for public sector governance in Bangladesh, as the ACC and other bodies work to restore integrity within Dhaka WASA and ensure that the agency prioritizes the needs of the public over the interests of a select few.

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