The Lucky files: From college teacher to ‘overnight’ millionaire
In Narsingdi’s Raipura upazila, the law of omerta prevails.
The silence is bolstered by fear. Perhaps even paranoia. No one has seen anything. No one has heard anything. And no one knows anything.
No one speaks of Laila Kanis Lucky.
Lucky is the wife of Matiur Rahman, a former official of the National Board of Revenue, who came to the limelight after the son with his second wife attempted to purchase a goat for Tk15 lakh.
Alongside Matiur, his wife Lucky and her assets have also made headlines and become a topic of recent discussion following the goat purchase issue.
Just two years ago, Laila Kanis was an unknown figure in Raipura’s political landscape, a retired teacher of a government college living out her life.
Far from being involved in any political party, she wasn’t even an ordinary worker or an activist.
But now, she is the upazila chairman.
When locals do open up about her, the first thing they mention is Lucky Park – a ghost park at that.
Haunting of Wonder Park
During a visit to “Wonder Park” – referred to as Lucky Park by locals- an establishment associated with Laila Kanis, reveals another layer to this enigma.
A ride inside the Wonder Park. Photo: Nayem Ali/TBS
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A ride inside the Wonder Park. Photo: Nayem Ali/TBS
The entry ticket costs Tk200 each, but enjoying the rides requires additional fees.
The receptionist, Baten, informs: “Per ride costs are different; you must pay more if you want to enjoy rides. Go inside; you will find operators.”
The park, however, wears a deserted look. The rides wear thick coats of dust.
No operators can be found either.
A couple is seen touring the park. Photo: Nayem Ali/TBS
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A couple is seen touring the park. Photo: Nayem Ali/TBS
Couples sporadically enter the park, only to be greeted with silence.
Eerie is an understatement.
Posing as Youtubers, The Business Standard reporters tried to glean some information from the visitors.
One of the kids who had just arrived remembers what the park was like a few years ago,
“Even 3-4 years ago, we used to play here. There was a field, but now it’s gone. The park was renovated, and we lost our field. Now we come to the park daily to hang out,” he said.
Another visitor, Shamim, had just ordered a plate of fuchka.
“This is a park for only young couples, you know what I mean,” he said with a sly smile, gesturing around to show the emptiness.
Roaming around the park, the story of a lake emerges.
This lake spans about 2-3 bighas of land, where white ducks float, play, and make splashes.
“Is this the Matsya Khamar of Lucky Madam?”, visitors were asked.
But no one could verify the origins.
While no one confirmed the size of the park, it seemed to be about 15-16 bighas in total.
A statue of dragon on the side of lake at Wonder Park. Photo: Nayem Ali/TBS
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A statue of dragon on the side of lake at Wonder Park. Photo: Nayem Ali/TBS
On the condition of anonymity, a person close to the proceeding, said, “When the park was expanded in 2019, Madam Kanis contacted the adjacent landowners and informed them that she needed their land. There was no room to negotiate the price. Moreover, there was no way to refuse because they are powerful.”
He added, “The lake inside the park covers about 200 decimals of land belonging to one Siraj Mia. They also took land from several other people, including Kawser Mollah and Sultan Mollah. The owners did not receive a fair price for their land; they were forced to accept what she offered.”
Regarding another person affected, he mentioned, “They took land from a person named Dulu, who likely hasn’t received the payment yet.”
‘The money crocodile’
The local anonymous source, who The Business Standard can confirm is quite close with Laila and her family, shed light on the family background as well.
“Kafil Uddin Ahmed, known as Kafil Master, wasn’t wealthy. He lived in a small house with his children.
The resort inside Wonder Park. Photo: Nayem Ali/TBS
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The resort inside Wonder Park. Photo: Nayem Ali/TBS
“However, Kanis suddenly became rich, surprising the local residents. I don’t understand how she suddenly amassed so much wealth. The properties only came to light after she built her house two years ago. In the area, she started being called a ‘money crocodile.’ She had the park earlier, but it wasn’t much talked about.”
He further remarked, “Even her becoming the upazila chairman was surprising. After becoming the chairman, people started to know her. People didn’t know much about her politics. Many locals believe Kanis built her wealth through her husband’s illegal earnings. There’s no way so much wealth could come from a teaching salary or pension money.”
He also mentioned that apart from Raipura, he had heard she has parks in Pubail and Sylhet. “But I don’t know their names.”
One woman who lived adjacent to the park and whose land was taken for the park’s expansion, said, “They took 12 decimals of our land. Each decimal was worth Tk60,000 at that time. They only gave us Tk1 lakh, and we are still waiting for the rest of the money.”
Others shared similar stories, receiving payments in instalments or not getting fair prices for their lands.
But if Laila couldn’t pay the instalments, did she really live in the lap of luxury? Or was it all a facade?
The next stop would be Laila’s house, or more appropriately, her mansion.
The road named after Laila Kanis at Raipura. Photo: Nayem Ali/TBS
The road named after Laila Kanis at Raipura. Photo: Nayem Ali/TBS
