A local Anti-discrimination Student Movement (ADSM) coordinator’s acquisition of a lucrative cattle market lease worth Tk 1 crore 50 lakh 20 thousand has stirred public controversy over financial transparency and raised questions about how a youth activist accessed such substantial funds.
Abu Raihan Faruk, coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement (ADSM) unit at Kurigram Government College, secured the lease of the Jorgachha Cattle Market in Chilmari upazila through an open auction overseen by the Chilmari Upazila Revenue Collection Committee.
The lease, covering the market’s operations from Jaishtha 7 to Chaitra 30 of Bengali year 1432, was awarded after Faruk placed the highest bid. In an unusual move, he submitted Tk 55 lakh as a down payment, exceeding the required 30% of the total lease value by over a 10 lakh taka.
When asked about the lease of the market, Faruk told The Daily Observer, “The asking price for the market was Tk 2.1 crore. However, some BNP leaders were trying to get it for less than Tk one crore. They couldn’t secure the tender in two or three previous markets either. Finally, when we participated in the open bidding process, we won the tender as the highest bidder. We’ve already sold two other markets. Apart from this one, we still have two more under our lease.”
The lease auction notice was published with successful bidding completed by May 19. On Friday, Committee chairperson Sobuj Kumar Bosak, serving as Upazila Nirbahi Officer, confirmed The Daily Observer that standard tendering procedures were followed without knowledge of Faruk's student movement role.
"We didn't even know he was a coordinator. We floated the tender. He was selected as the highest bidder. However, we didn't think about the source of his funds," Sobuj Kumar Bosak explained.
Social media attention intensified after Amazon Data Analyst Sheikh Abdullah shared official documentation on his verified Facebook profile, questioning how a student coordinator afforded such substantial financial commitments.
Abdullah highlighted that Faruk's father works as a local marriage registrar, suggesting modest family income compared to the multimillion-taka investment.
When asked about the source of his money, Faruk replied, “I have seven and a half bighas of malta and grape orchards. Even after covering expenses, I make a profit of Tk 20 to 25 lakh a year just from selling the saplings. Even if I sit idle, I earn Tk 10,000 a day. My father is a teacher at Hariram Jamiya Dakhil Madrasa and also serves as the kazi (marriage registrar) of Jorgacha union. We lease out land, own vehicles, and even have a brick kiln. So, in terms of family background, I have no financial issues.”
He further said, “I don’t have a single penny of personal investment in the markets we operate. All of it comes from the general public. They appointed me as their representative to secure the lease for this market. You can check the bank statement if you wish.”
Faruk himself posted the official memo on Facebook, writing "Alhamdulillah. Lease of Chilmarir Joragach Cattle Market," confirming his successful bid.
His position as coordinator was verified through Anti-discrimination Student Movement letterhead signed by former convener Hasnat Abdullah and former member secretary Arif Sohel.
The controversy reflects broader concerns about wealth accumulation patterns following recent political changes.
According to the lease agreement, Faruk must complete remaining payments within stipulated timeframes and execute a contract on 300-taka non-judicial stamp paper, with legal consequences for any violations.
Committee members including Land Assistant Officer Md Fazlul Haque, Sharifer Hat M. U. High School head teacher Md Abdur Rouf, Rural Development Officer SM Shawkat Alam, and Upazila Engineer Md Zulfikar Ali Bhuiyan all endorsed the decision unanimously.
