Barishal DFO suspended for 17 alleged fraudulent marriages

Barishal Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Md Kabir Hossain Patwary has been suspended following allegations that he married 17 women through fraudulent means. The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change issued a directive on Tuesday afternoon (16 September) to temporarily suspend him and transfer him to the Rangpur Range.

Meanwhile, Patuakhali Divisional Forest Officer (Deputy Conservator of Forests) Dr Mohammad Zahidur Rahman Mia has been appointed as the acting Divisional Forest Officer of Barishal.

Mihir Kumar Doe, Conservator of Forests for the Barishal Coastal Division, confirmed that the ministry sent an official email regarding the matter on Tuesday evening.

Sources said Kabir Hossain allegedly lured 17 women into marriage by promising them overseas education, government jobs, opportunities as flight attendants, or property. Following the allegations, victims’ families and members of civil society organized a human chain in front of the Kashipur Forest Officer’s Office in Barishal city on Thursday (11 September), demanding justice. During the demonstration, it was claimed that women from various districts fell victim to his fraudulent activities.

Meanwhile, Public Prosecutor Advocate Hafiz Ahmed Bablu filed a case on his own initiative with the Metropolitan First Cognizance Court on Tuesday noon. Judge Md Sadik Ahmed accepted the case and ordered the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to submit a report on the investigation.

Advocate Hafiz Ahmed said that Barishal DFO hails from Motlob Upazila in Chandpur. He allegedly carried out 17 marriages and committed fraud in the name of marriage while working in Dhaka, Khulna, Sirajganj, Bagerhat, and other districts, according to several newspapers. The accused is alleged to have violated Muslim Family Laws in each of these marriages. Moreover, by concealing his first marriage and consecutively marrying 17 women, he is accused of seriously undermining religious values, the country’s culture, and the social fabric. The complainant filed the case after reading media reports.

Repeated attempts to contact Kabir Hossain on his mobile phone were unsuccessful, and he could not be reached for comment.