United News of Bangladesh

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has been gripped by an uneasy situation as some of its top officials were sent into forced retirement and others put under the Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) scanner allegedly for their involvement in the recent movement under the banner of the ‘NBR Reform Unity Council’. “How would it be an easy situation in the NBR while there are so many things happening in the NBR within this short time?” a senior official of the NBR told UNB. The official who joined the recent movement, preferring anonymity, said that resentment is brewing among the NBR officials and it might take a serious turn. The NBR Reform Unity Council had been demonstrating with a series of protest programmes demanding structural reforms and the removal of the NBR Chairman citing allegations of administrative irregularities, officer intimidation, and obstruction of reform efforts. Since early June the agitating officials held a complete shutdown, marches, work abstentions, hunger strikes, and human chains, disrupting services in tax, VAT and customs offices across the country. The protests began after the government issued an ordinance on May 12 dissolving the NBR and the Internal Resources Division, replacing them with the Revenue Policy Division and the Revenue Management Division, with scope to inject Admin Cadre officials in these two divisions. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) Reform Unity Council on Sunday withdrew its ‘complete shutdown’ and ‘march for NBR’ programme, after a group of leading business people emerged as a bridge between the government and them.  The government has also formed a five-member adviser-level committee to suggest ways to resolve the stalemate centring the reforms in NBR and they held a meeting with the NBR officials on Thursday. The NBR officials were asked to submit their proposals within the next two weeks. NBR launches ‘a-Chalan’ for instant online tax payments The situation seemed to be normal as Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed asked the NBR officials to start their works “without fear and favour” and NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan requested all to work for the country “forgetting past disputes”. But Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday launched a probe against six senior officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) on charges of corruption, abuse of power and nepotism in facilitating illegal benefits for individuals and institutions over the past two decades. The six officials under investigation are: AKM Badiul Alam, Member (Income Tax Policy); Mirza Ashiq Rana, Additional Tax Commissioner, Tax Zone-8, Dhaka; Mohammad Morshed Uddin Khan, Joint Tax Commissioner, BCS Tax Academy; Monalisa Shahreen Sushmita, Deputy Tax Commissioner, Tax Zone-16, Dhaka; Hasan Tarek Rikabdar, Additional Commissioner, Audit, Intelligence and Investigation Directorate, VAT, Dhaka; and Sadhan Kumar Kundu, Additional Commissioner, Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate, Dhaka (South). Among them, Hasan Tarek serves as the president of the NBR Reform Unity Council and others joined the movement in different categories. The ACC again on Tuesday launched formal investigation against five more senior officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) over allegations of amassing illegal wealth, abuse of power, and favouritism. The officials facing the probe are Abdul Rashid Miah, Additional Commissioner, Large Taxpayers Unit (VAT); Md Lutfur Azim, Member; Md Alamgir Hossain, former Additional Director General, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID); Md Shihabul Islam, Deputy Tax Commissioner, Tax Zone-16, Dhaka; and Md Tarek Hasan, Joint Commissioner.  That is not all. The government on Wednesday sent three NBR members, who were the top most officials of the cadre, into early retirement. According to the Internal Resources Division  website, all of them were sent to forced retirement for the sake of public interest. They are-- Hossain Ahmed (customs policy and ICT), Md Alamgir Hossain and Md Abdur Rouf (VAT policy). The IRD also sent Md. Sobbir Ahmed, (Commissoner of Taxes Zone- Barishal) and M Moinul Erfan (joint director general of Tax inspection directorate) into early retirement. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has suspended Commissioner (in-charge) of Chattogram Custom House Md Zakir Hossain for allegedly disobeying official instructions that resulted in disruption of trade activities and significant revenue losses. According to an NBR circular issued on Monday (July 1), Zakir Hossain violated a prior directive dated June 18, 2025, which ordered all revenue-related offices, including Customs, VAT and Income Tax departments, to remain open on June 21 and June 28 (both Saturdays) to boost revenue collection. Despite this instruction, the Chattogram Custom House remained closed on June 28 (Saturday) and June 29 (Sunday), causing disruptions in import and export activities, and subsequent financial losses to the government. Citing this breach, the NBR has suspended him. Revenue collection activities across the country have come to a near-complete halt due to an unprecedented shutdown of offices under the National Board of Revenue (NBR), triggered by protests and non-cooperation from officials to press home their demands.  On June 28 and 29, key NBR wings, including Customs, VAT and Income Tax, remained virtually inoperative due to the 'complete shutdown' programme and 'march for NBR' programme. The officials, under the banner of NBR Reform Unity Council, had called the protest programmes, demanding the immediate removal of its chairman. NBR enabling companies to file VAT returns from their own systems The NBR Reform Unity Council had been demonstrating with a series of protest programmes demanding structural reforms and the removal of the NBR chairman citing allegations of administrative irregularities, officer intimidation and obstruction of pro-reform efforts. A former commissioner of the NBR who retired a couple of years back, said that those who have been given forced retirement were most sincere and hundred percent honest. “All of them were clean imaged officers, they were in policy wing as they were capable, honest and skilled,” he said, seeking anonymity. But he failed to explain why these officers were sent for early retirement and what is the logic behind such an act of the NBR. “This creates serious resentment among the other officials as far as I know,” he added. He mentioned that these officers were in the forefront and they were not accepting the ongoing irregularities and anomalies in the NBR.

Dhaka, June 23 (UNB) –The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Tuesday launched drives at 13 district election offices across the country following widespread allegations of bribery, harassment, and irregularities in the issuance, correction, and collection of National Identity Cards (NID). The enforcement operations, conducted by the ACC's Enforcement Unit, were prompted by reports of service recipients being subjected to unethical demands, harassment by officials, and interference by middlemen at various election offices. During the drives, the ACC teams found initial evidence supporting allegations of irregularities and corruption. In Rangpur, the ACC team went to investigate allegations of bribery and non-cooperation by election office staff. Service seekers alleged they were harassed while submitting attested NID copies for passport applications. The ACC advised the office to take corrective measures. Call for public input on reforming the anti-corruption commission In Rajshahi, although the official NID verification fee of Tk 230 is supposed to be paid online, some staff were found taking cash without receipts during verification processes. In Kurigram, the ACC found that applications submitted as far back as 2022 were arbitrarily rejected in 2025. Several victims, including women, alleged years of delay and non-receipt of services. In Mymensingh, the ACC recorded statements from service recipients and staff regarding allegations of corruption and harassment. In Pabna, evidence of unusual delays in online application approvals was confirmed. Measures were advised to streamline the process. In Naogaon, the team visited the office in disguise, observed service delivery firsthand, and collected feedback from service seekers. In Dinajpur, the ACC reviewed applications for NID corrections in various categories (‘Ka’, ‘Kha’, ‘Ga’) and resolved multiple issues on the spot in consultation with service recipients. In Barishal, citizens complained of frequent server issues during fingerprint submission. The ACC recommended urgent technical intervention by relevant authorities. Similar enforcement drives were conducted in Bogura, Jamalpur, Patuakhali, Thakurgaon, and Pirojpur where immediate steps were taken to address the grievances of service seekers. Each district enforcement team will submit a comprehensive report to the Commission. Based on the findings, necessary legal and administrative actions will be taken, the ACC said.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday once again summoned British MP of Bangladeshi origin, Tulip Siddiq, over allegations of unlawfully acquiring a flat from Eastern Housing in the capital's Gulshan area. The ACC confirmed that a fresh notice has been sent to five different addresses in Dhaka, asking her to appear before the commission on June 22 in connection with the case. Earlier, in May, the commission had also issued a notice to Siddiq, but she reportedly claimed through various channels that she had not received it. “In light of her claims, we have now sent the summons to five of her known addresses in the capital,” said ACC Director General Akhter Hossain. Tulip Siddiq requests meeting Prof Yunus over corruption allegation He added that the letters were sent through local police stations, registered post and will also be posted to visible locations at the respective addresses by ACC officials. According to the case statement, Tulip Siddiq illegally accepted a flat from Eastern Housing on Road 11 of Gulshan-2 in violation of applicable laws.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday launched an enforcement operation at the head office of mobile financial service provider Nagad in Dhaka, following allegations of irregularities in recruitment and embezzlement of Tk 150 crore. During the operation, the ACC team found preliminary evidence of irregularities in the recruitment process. Based on the findings, the Commission may interrogate two individuals – Atik Morshed, personal officer to Fayez Ahmad Tayyab, Special Assistant on ICT Affairs to the Chief Adviser, and Morshed’s wife, Zakia Sultana Jui. The ACC has also sought relevant documents to verify the authenticity of the Tk 150 crore embezzlement allegation.  After reviewing the records, the investigation team will submit a detailed report to the Commission. The ACC's enforcement drive commenced with a raid on Nagad's Gulshan office on Sunday, according to Assistant Director Ikram Hossain. Meanwhile Atik Morshed and his wife Zakia Sultana Jui have been summoned for questioning on Monday, against charges of irregularities in recruitment. Apex court declares appointment of administrator and board at Nagad illegal ACC Director General Akhter Hossain confirmed this to the media. Atik Morshed however made a post on Facebook denying the allegations against him. Morshed claimed that he has only been to the Nagad office twice, that too for official work. His wife applied and got a job at Nagad based on her qualifications.

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Wednesday interrogated Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain’s former assistant private secretary Moazzem Hossain and Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum’s former personal officer Tuhin Farabi and current PO Mahmudul Hasan  over corruption charges. The commission also summoned National Citizen Party’s suspended joint member secretary Gazi Salauddin Ahmed Tanvir to question over graft charge. The anti-graft agency asked Tuhin and Mahmudul to appear at the commission headquarters on May 20, Tanvir on May 21 and Moazzem on May 22. The Commission interrogated three individuals for nearly two hours at its headquarters over allegations of corruption, including lobbying for transfers, tenders, and administrative favours involving crores of taka. Farabi and Hasan  were scheduled to appear before the ACC on Tuesday but failed to do so. Gazi Salauddin, whose appearance was set for today, complied with the summons. According to the ACC, both Farabi and Hasan are accused of amassing illicit wealth through unethical influence in doctor transfers, tender processes, and administrative lobbying. Farabi did not speak to the media after the questioning, while Hasan told reporters, “The allegations are baseless. I am also resigning from the position of Advisor’s Personal Officer.” ACC Deputy Director and Public Relations Officer Akterul Islam said the commission will evaluate the gathered evidence and the statements of the accused before making further decisions. No issue of Foreign Secretary’s removal; responsibilities to be changed: Adviser Hossain After emerging from the ACC office, Gazi Salauddin claimed innocence, saying, “I am innocent. I am ready to go to jail if the allegations are proven.” Meanwhile, the ACC has summoned Moazzem, the former APS to the local government adviser, for questioning on Thursday. Earlier, the ACC started an inquiry into  allegations of amassing illegal wealth through corruption including lobbying, tender manipulations, and recruitment and posting business against Moazzem. Tuhin and Mahmudul also allegedly embezzled hundreds of crores of taka through appointments and transfer of doctors, medical college principals, directors, deputy directors and civil surgeons. Amid the allegations of corruption, Moazzem and Tuhin resigned from their posts on April 21. The ACC is conducting an inquiry led by ACC assistant director SM Rashedul Hasan against NCP’s suspended leader Salauddin over allegations of amassing illegal wealth through abusing power, lobbying and tender manipulation. Amid graft allegations, the NCP suspended Salauddin on April 21.

A Dhaka court on Tuesday imposed travel bans on three people, including Jahangir Hossain, close aide of former chief of Detective Branch Harun-or-Rashid. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain Galib passed the order after hearing separate petitions filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The two others were identified as former chairman of Tanore upazila Lutfur Haidar Rashid and former Chairman of Godagari upazila Jahangir Alam of Rajshahi district. Deputy Director of ACC Joynal Abedin, deputy assistant director Minu Akter Sumi filed separate petitions seeking travel ban of Jahangir Hossain, Lutfur Haider and Jahangir Alam. Ex-MP, 8 AL leaders held in Dhaka According to the petition, Harun and his family members and close associates accumulated wealth worth Tk several crore through irregularities. During ACC investigations, the court ordered to confiscate the property of Jahangir. He recently tried to leave the country along with his family. Besides, the two former chairmen of Tanore and Godagari upazilas were also found accumulating wealth beyond known sources of income through drug business, criminal activities and extortion.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Tuesday filed three cases against Awami League presidium member and former mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) AHM Khairuzzaman Liton and his wife and daughter on charges of amassing illegal wealth worth around TK 29 crore. ACC Director General Md Akhter Hossain said this at a press briefing in its headquarters in Dhaka. Liton who has been in hiding since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-government on August 5 last year is accused in the first case for abusing power and illegally accumulating assets worth TK 10.35 crore while performing his duties. Besides, there are allegations of suspicious transactions worth TK52.23 crore through 12 bank accounts in his name. Liton has been named as an accused along with his wife, Shaheen Akhter, in the second case. The complaint in this case states that Shaheen Akhtar, with the help of her husband, has acquired assets worth Tk 11.41 crore beyond their known sources of income through bribery and corruption by abusing power. The ACC has also found evidence of suspicious transactions worth over Tk 76 crore in 13 bank accounts in her name. In the third ACC case, Khairuzzaman Liton's daughter Anika Fariha Zaman has been accused along with her. Taskforce gets 6 more months to probe Sagar-Runi murder case Anika has been accused of acquiring assets worth TK 6.81 crore beyond her known sources of income through corruption in connivance with her father. Besides, suspicious transactions worth TK 2.44 crore have been identified in five bank accounts in her name. Liton has also been accused in this case. The accused in the three cases have been charged under Section 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, Sections 4(2) and 4(3) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2012 and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947. The ACC announced the launching of an investigation against Liton on December 31 last year while the court ordered a ban on Khairuzzaman Liton, his wife Shaheen Akhter, and two daughters Anika Fariha Zaman and Maysa Samiha Zaman from leaving the country on last month.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated a formal inquiry into allegations of misappropriation of Tk4,000 crore from the state treasury during the Mujib Borsho celebrations, implicating former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and former principal secretary Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury. The inquiry, which was launched in January, is being overseen by a seven-member ACC committee, said ACC Director General (Prevention) Md Akhtar Hossain at a press briefing in Dhaka on Wednesday. “Our team is currently collecting information from various organisations,” he said. The allegations relate to expenditures made during the Mujib Borsho celebrations—marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina’s father—which took place from March 2020 to March 2022. The Awami League government is accused of spending Tk4,000 crore on various events and installations, including the construction of 10,000 murals and statues across the country. Declared by Sheikh Hasina during a party meeting in July 2018, Mujib Borsho was officially launched on 17 March 2020 and extended until March 2022, overlapping with the COVID-19 pandemic. The celebrations were coordinated by two government-formed bodies: a 102-member National Committee chaired by Hasina and a National Implementation Committee. Shomi Kaiser, Dipu Moni among 10 shown arrested in fresh cases Activities during this period included cultural events, publications, digital content, sports competitions, and the creation of Mujib-themed materials across both government and private offices. Aircraft, official documents, and even immigration areas at airports were branded with the Mujib Borsho logo and imagery of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Due to pandemic restrictions, many programmes transitioned online, including video documentaries, commemorative websites, digital quizzes, and special telecom packages such as Teletalk’s free “Shatabarsho” offer. Several ministries and state-run agencies also introduced Mujib Corners and released souvenirs and memorial books. Critics have raised concerns over the scale and extravagance of the celebrations during a global health crisis, questioning the transparency and necessity of such large-scale expenditures. The ACC investigation is ongoing, with findings yet to be disclosed. If evidence of corruption is found, it could have significant legal and political consequences for the individuals involved and the former ruling party.

A Dhaka court on Thursday acquitted  BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman and former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar and four  others in a bribery case. Judge of the Dhaka Special Judge Court-3 Md Abu Taher passed the order. The six others who got acquittal are Ahmed Akbar Sobhan alias Shah Alam, chairman of Bashundhara Group, his two sons Shafiat Sobhan, Sadat Sobhan, Abu Sufiyan, Kazi Salimul Haque Kamal and personal secretary of Tarique Rahman Mia Nuruddin Apu. HC Justice Khizir Hayat removed On October 4, 2007, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case against eight people Tarique, Babar in connection with realising Tk 21 lakh as bribery for dropping the name of an accused from the murder case of Sabbir Ahmed, an expert of Information Technology department of Bashundhara Group. Police submitted chargesheet against them on April 24, 2008.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed two separate cases against former Housing and Public Works Minister SM Rezaul Karim and his wife, Firoza Parveen, on charges of amassing illegal wealth worth around Tk 12 crore and engaging in suspicious transactions amounting to Tk 7 crore. ACC Director General Akhter Hossain announced the development during a briefing at the commission’s office in Segunbagicha on Wednesday. According to the case statements, SM Rezaul Karim, also a former MP from Pirojpur-1, allegedly misused his power and amassed Tk 8.86 crore beyond his known sources of income. Investigators have also found suspicious transactions totalling Tk 6.84 crore across 12 bank accounts under his name, prompting the ACC to file the first case against him. In the second case, both SM Rezaul Karim and his wife, Firoza Parveen, have been accused of abusing their official positions to acquire undeclared assets worth Tk 3.56 crore. ACC uncovers recruitment scam at Bangla Academy: 175 appointed without due process The charges have been brought under Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, Section 27(1) of the ACC Act, and Section 109 of the Penal Code. The ACC launched its investigation last September into allegations of widespread corruption and irregularities against Rezaul Karim. The inquiry found that he owns immovable properties in Nazirpur, Pirojpur, and several locations in Dhaka and Barishal. During his tenure as the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, he also allegedly embezzled Tk 25 crore under the pretext of purchasing equipment and training under the Livestock and Dairy Development project. He is also accused of illegally acquiring luxury vehicles, large sums in bank deposits and substantial assets both at home and abroad.