Forest officer loses post for marital relationship with 17 women

Where there is transfer, there is marriage. Barisal Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Kabir Hossain Patwari, who was discussed nationwide for marrying 17 women, has been temporarily suspended. This information was released in a notification by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate on Tuesday (September 17) afternoon. The notification said that Kabir Hossain has been temporarily suspended and ordered to be attached to the Rangpur Range. In addition, Patuakhali Divisional Forest Officer (Deputy Conservator of Forests) Dr. Mohammad Zahidur Rahman Mia has been given the responsibility of Barisal Divisional Forest Officer (DFO). Mihir Kumar De, Conservator of Forests of Barisal Divisional Coastal Region, confirmed the matter. He said that he received an email from the ministry regarding the dismissal order last Tuesday evening. In addition, a case was also filed in the court against Kabir Hossain Patwari on the same day. Last Tuesday afternoon, Barisal Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court Public Prosecutor Advocate Hafiz Ahmed Bablu filed the case in the Metropolitan First Administrative Court on his own initiative. Court Judge Md. Sadiq Ahmed took cognizance of the case and ordered the PBI to submit an investigation report. It has been alleged that the forest officer had been deceiving people by promising them to study abroad, provide government jobs, provide opportunities as an air force officer or provide property. It has been published in various media outlets that he committed 17 marriages and marriage frauds while working in various districts including Dhaka, Khulna, Sirajganj and Bagerhat. Advocate Hafiz Ahmed Bablu, the plaintiff in the case, said that Barisal Divisional Forest Officer Md. Kabir Hossain Patwari is a resident of Matlab Upazila of Chandpur. He had previously committed 17 marriages and marriage frauds while working in various districts including Dhaka, Khulna, Sirajganj and Bagerhat. He said, “Accused Kabir Hossain Patwari has committed the offence of Section 6 (5) (b) of the Ordinance by violating the provisions of Section 6 of the Muslim Family Act, 1961 in each marriage. In addition, after the first marriage, he has organized 17 marriages one after another by challenging religious values, national culture and our social system, committing a serious crime.” Court bench assistant Md. Rajib Majumder said that the court has directed the PBI to investigate the case filed by Advocate Hafiz Ahmed Babul. The next date of the case has been fixed for November 20. Although several attempts were made to contact the mobile phone used by the accused forest officer Kabir Hossain in this regard, his statement could not be obtained as it was switched off. It is worth noting that on September 11, the abused women and their family members formed a human chain for an hour in front of the Kashipur Forest Conservator’s Office in Barisal city demanding justice for Kabir Hossain Patwari. At that time, 17 women, including Dhaka resident Naznin Akhter Sheela, Narayanganj resident Sonia Akhter, and Khulna resident Nasrin Akhter Dolan, claimed to have been victims of his fraud.