Ex- minister's wife disowns 8 acre land acquired from Hindus

Fatema Akhter Rekha, wife of former State Minister for of Relief and Disaster Management Mohibbur Rahman, has renounced ownership of an eight-acre plot worth nearly Tk 1 crore, acquired through a deed from members of the Hindu community. 

In an affidavit filed on October 1 via a Dhaka notary public, Rekha claimed the deed was executed without her knowledge or that of her family. 

"The registered deed was completed without my awareness," she said, adding that she only became aware of the document's existence after her representative retrieved a copy.

Rekha clarified in the affidavit that neither she nor her family will assert ownership over the land now or in the future. She further mentioned that she did not cover the deed's costs, including registry fees, which amounted to Tk 8.98 lakh in total.

The land in question was allegedly purchased on November 21, 2019, under deed number 4512 in the Khepupara sub-registry office, with the sellers listed as Tapas Saha Gong. The property is located in Kalapara Upazila’s Itbaria Mauza.

The timing of Rekha’s disclaimer has raised questions among locals, who wonder why she renounced the deed from 2019 only now. Additionally, the community speculates on who paid the considerable registry fees.

Records indicate that between 2017 and 2024, Mohibbur Rahman and Fatema Akhter acquired at least 35 acres of land across different mauzas, as documented in 27 deeds.

In one case, they acquired 80 decimals of land in Kuakata via a declaration document, with similar transactions placing Fatema Akhter as owner of other properties.

Attempts to reach Rekha for comment were unsuccessful, as her phone was switched off. 

Kalapara Upazila Sub-Registrar Kazi Nazrul Islam confirmed receipt of Rekha’s affidavit.