Md Polash Hossain, Pabna Correspondent, Daily Dhaka Times: A former director of Pabna Mental Hospital, Prof. Dr. Saroj Kumar Das, has revealed an alleged case of forgery involving a man accused of fraudulently obtaining a “certificate of insanity” for his own father in a bid to seize family land.
The man, Rafiqul Islam, is accused of using Dr. Saroj Kumar Das’s name to fabricate the medical certificate for his father, the late Safar Ali. It is understood that Safar Ali, during his lifetime, had filed a General Diary (GD) at Pabna Sadar Police Station against Rafiqul Islam due to alleged mistreatment and abuse. Safar Ali had reportedly expressed satisfaction with his elder son, Sultan Mahmud, by legally transferring a parcel of land to him.
Rafiqul Islam subsequently initiated legal proceedings (Case No. 36/2018, Senior Assistant Judge Court, Pabna) against his elder brother, submitting the contested certificate to the court. In his claim, Rafiqul asserted he had been responsible for his father’s care and maintenance since he himself was merely four years old, due to his father’s purported insanity.
On 4th December 2024, Advocate Md. Haider Tanviruzzaman of the Bangladesh Supreme Court, representing Sultan Mahmud, served a legal notice upon Professor Dr. Saroj Kumar Das. In response, Dr. Das expressed profound dismay at the misuse of his name. In a formal written reply on his letterhead, Dr. Das stated, “Upon reviewing the five-page medical report and one-page medical certificate, it is evident that the prescription pad, seal, and signature have been forged by some person or persons and submitted in a civil suit. The name, designation, signature, and seal attributed to me in the submitted documents are not mine.”
Dr. Saroj Kumar Das further clarified his limited tenure at the hospital: “I served as the director (acting) of Pabna Mental Hospital from 28 January 2004 to 8 July 2004. The handwriting and signature on the purported medical certificate and prescription are not mine. During my tenure, I used pads designating me as Director (Acting Charge). Furthermore, there are spelling errors on the counterfeit prescription pad.”
Despite Dr Saroj Kumar Das’s brief five-month acting directorship, the documents submitted by Rafiqul Islam to the court include medical prescriptions and a mental health certificate dated between 1992 and 2010, falsely portraying Dr. Das as ‘Director’ for a cumulative period of 16 years, well beyond his actual tenure. Dr Saroj Kumar Das’s statement, coupled with inconsistencies in handwriting and signature, strongly suggests that Mr. Safar Ali never suffered from the claimed mental illness, as the documents attesting to it appear to be entirely fraudulent.
Rafiqul Islam’s court submission claims that his father, Safar Ali, “suddenly lost his mental equilibrium in early 1990,” and that he and his wife subsequently provided all necessary care and medical treatment, while alleging Sultan was absent. However, investigations reveal a stark contradiction: Rafiqul Islam’s national ID card indicates he was merely four years old in early 1990. Furthermore, his wife’s national ID shows she had not even been born at that time. The assertion that a four-year-old child could provide for and manage the medical care of his father, alongside a wife who did not yet exist, is considered highly improbable by observers.
Further inquiries into Rafiqul’s background reveal other serious allegations. On 31st May 2009, he reportedly abducted and married Popy, the underage daughter of Abdur Razzak from Brojonathpur, near Hajir-hat in Pabna Sadar. He was subsequently arrested under child marriage legislation and served a period of imprisonment. Despite claiming in court documents to reside at his father’s home in Hemayetpur, it is alleged that Safar Ali had disowned him due to his disobedient behaviour. Rafiqul then reportedly took refuge in the Brojonathpur area.
It is also alleged that Rafiqul operated an unlicensed cooperative society in the area, embezzling millions of taka from ordinary people before absconding. He is said to have used these misappropriated funds to purchase several hills in Bandarban’s Naikhyangchhari upazila, allegedly by fraudulently presenting himself as a resident—a prerequisite for land purchase in the area.
Evidence of Safar Ali’s distress over Rafiqul’s conduct also exists in official records. On 29th April 2008, Safar Ali filed a General Diary (GD No. 1540) at Pabna Sadar Police Station seeking protection. In it, he stated, “Being pleased with the conduct of my elder son, Sultan Mahmud, and as he has taken responsibility for my maintenance, I have, in sound body and mind, and of my own free will, gifted him 25 decimals of my homestead land in Hemayetpur, Pabna Sadar, via registered deed. Recently, my younger son, Rafiqul Islam, has been repeatedly threatening to kill me, my elder son, and my daughter-in-law over land issues. I am apprehensive about this matter.”
Rafiqul Islam is reportedly the only child from Safar Ali’s second marriage. It is alleged that, not content with attempting to seize the land bequeathed to Sultan through forged documents, Rafiqul has also illegally occupied land belonging to his stepmother, on which he has constructed his residence, despite having no legal claim. Legal proceedings are reportedly being initiated against him regarding this matter.
When contacted by telephone for comment on these allegations, Rafiqul Islam reportedly disconnected the call immediately after hearing the questions. Upon being contacted again, he stated, “You can get answers to all your questions from my advocate. I know nothing about this.”
Sultan Mahmud commented, “It is true that I looked after my father as a son should, and he, being satisfied, gifted me a piece of land. For my stepbrother to try and nullify this truth by falsely portraying our father as mentally unsound with forged documents submitted to the court is not only despicable and inhumane but also a punishable offense of fraud and forgery. Dr. Saroj Kumar’s response proves these documents are counterfeit. I have full respect for the law and expect justice against this deception.”
