Anti-Corruption Commission
HC orders MP Salam Murshedy to hand over Gulshan house to govt
The High Court on Tuesday (March 19, 2024) ordered Khulna-4 MP and vice president of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Abdus Salam Murshedy to hand over his residence in Gulshan to the Housing and Public Works Ministry.
The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Kazi Ebadoth Hossain passed the order and asked Murshedy to complete the process within three months after receiving the copy of the verdict.
The court also said that the residence in Gulshan where Salam Murshedy is living is an abandoned property of the government.
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Senior Advocate Mohammad Syed Ahmed stood for Murshedy, Senior Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan for Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) while deputy attorney general Saifuddin Khaled represented the state and Advocate Anik R Haque stood for the petitioner.
Advocate Syed said they will file an appeal petition challenging the verdict.
On October 30, 2022, Barrister Sayedul Haque Sumon filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking an inquiry into the allegations of corruption against the BFF official.
According to the writ petition, the house located in Gulshan-2 was listed as the abandoned house under the gazette in 1986. But Murshedy is living there after occupying it.
Three letters of the Housing and Public Works Ministry to the chairman of Rajuk issued on April 13, 2015, January 20, 2016 and July 4, 2022 were attached to the writ petition.
The Housing and Public Works Ministry sought explanation from Rajuk Chairman over the occupation of the house by Murshedy .
On November 1, 2022, the HC issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the inaction of the authorities concerned in taking legal steps against the AL lawmaker for occupying the house illegally, should not be declared beyond legal authority.
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It also asked the authorities concerned to submit all documents regarding the house to the court.
On February 8 this year, the ACC in its investigation found the allegations of forgery and fraud over the house true and on the basis of information of witnesses and documents, the ACC filed a case against five people including Murshedy.
PK Halder gets 22 years’ jail for money laundering, amassing wealth
A Dhaka court on Sunday (October 8, 2023) sentenced disgraced director of International Leasing and Finance Service Ltd (ILFSL) Proshanto Kumar Halder, also known as PK Halder to 22 years’ of imprisonment in a case over amassing wealth and money laundering.
Thirteen other accused in the case were sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment each.
Judge of Dhaka Special Judge Court-10 Mohammad Nazrul Islam delivered the judgment.
The 13 convicts included Sukumar Mridha, Anindita Mridha, Avantika Baral, Shankh Bepari, PK Halder's mother Lilavati Halder, Purnima Rani Halder, Uttam Kumar Mistri, Amitabh Adhikari, Pritish Kumar Halder, Rajib Som, Subrata Das, Anang Mohan Roy and Swapan Kumar Mistri.
Read: Court fixes October 8 to deliver verdict in graft case against PK Halder, 13 others
Of them, Sukumar Mridha, Anindita Mridha, Avantika Baral and Shankh Bepari were present on the dock during the delivery of the judgment.
Earlier on October 4, the court set October 8 for delivering verdict upon ending arguments from the both the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the defendants.
Mamunur Rashid Chowdhury, assistant director of Dhaka Integrated District Office of the ACC, filed the case against PK Haldar for acquiring around Tk 275 crore illegally on January 8, 2020.
According to the case statement, PK Halder acquired wealth worth almost Tk 275 crore beyond known sources of income through illegal activities and kept them in his possession.
Read: India to hand over PK Halder to Bangladesh?
The ACC investigated the case and submitted a charge sheet to the court. In the charge sheet, the anti-graft watchdog accused Halder of laundering CAD 1.17 crore to Canada through illegal means.
A Dhaka court framed charges against the accused on September 8, 2021.
On May 13 this year, India's federal economic offences police arrested PK Halder and his two associates from the eastern state of West Bengal. He is now in an Indian jail.
Read more:Trial of graft case against PK Halder begins
ACC investigates corruption allegation against BIWTA’s additional director
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has started an investigation into alleged irregularities, corruption and illegal amassing of assets by AKM Arif Uddin alias Arif Hasnat, Additional Director of Ports and Transport Department of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority.
The anti-graft watchdog has formed a-two member inquiry committee headed by Deputy Director (investigation and inquiry-2) of the ACC Md. Hafizul Islam for fare . Another member of the team is its Assistant Director Subhash Chandra Majumder.
This information was in a letter of the ACC written to the Director (Administration) of the BIWTA. The ACC’s letter, signed by ACC Deputy Director (investigation and inquiry-2) Md. Hafizul Islam, was issued on last September 3.
In the letter, the ACC has asked for several important information about Narayanganj river port from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2022 and Dhaka river port (Sadarghat) from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022.
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These include accounting records of revenue collections, documentary records of earned revenue deposited (including deposit slips) in the government treasury and bank statements for the specified period.
Arif Uddin, currently posted at BIWTA's head office, was in charge of Dhaka and Narayanganj river ports at the time mentioned above.
ACC's letter has sought details of salary and allowances drawn by Arif Uddin since joining BIWTA till June 30 this year and office orders related to the responsibilities assigned to him.
ACC has also sought all records related to applications and approvals for holding business or shares in the names of Arif Uddin and his wife, children and brothers.
The ACC’s letter said that a letter was sent to the BIWTA on August 3 this year seeking above information for the sake of the ongoing investigation. But the BIWTA has not given it. For this reason, the inquiry activities are being hampered, it said.
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According to the ACC, though another letter was sent to the Director (Admin) BIWTA on September 3, seeking the same information and documents by 10 am on September 8.
However, it has been found that BIWTA has not sent any information to the ACC till writing this report.
When contacted BIWTA Director (Administration) Wakil Nawaz told UNB that his office (BIWTA head office) did not receive any letter from the ACC, which was sent on August 3 last month. However, he acknowledged that his office has already received the second letter, which was sent on September 3.
When he was asked why they (BIWTA) failed to provide the information to the ACC by September 8 this month, Wakil Newaz said he has been working on it and he hopes to provide the ACC required information very soon.
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When contacted by UNB Arif Uddin denied the allegations, saying that couple of years ago same type of allegations were brought against him and finally nothing was found against him.
After several years, someone brought the allegation to the ACC again against me. The ACC has been investigating the matter now. After completion of the ACC’s inquiry, the organization will take step as per its findings, said Arif, who has been also performing additional duty as Director (Land and Law) of the BIWTA.
The Daily Star's report on 'S Alam's Aladdin's lamp': HC for probe into allegation
The High Court on Sunday (August 06, 2023) asked the authorities concerned to investigate the allegations brought against S Alam Group over "transferring money abroad and investing in foreign countries without permission from Bangladesh Bank" and submit the report within two months.
The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the sue moto rule when Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Suman, a prominent lawyer of the Supreme Court, drew the attention of the court after attaching a report published by The Daily Star with the headline "S Alam's Aladdin's lamp".
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The HC also asked the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to submit a report to Bangladesh Bank and Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit after inquiring into whether there is any money laundering issue or whether S Alam Group took permission from Bangladesh Bank.
It also issued a rule asking the government to explain why the failure of the respondent to prevent the money laundering issue should not be declared illegal.
The HC issued another rule asking the government to explain why directives should not be given to investigate the allegations against S Alam Group and why necessary steps should not be taken against the person and organisation involved in the incident.
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Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Suman was present, while senior lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan stood for ACC and Deputy Attorney General Saifuddin Khaled represented the state.
Earlier, on August 4, The Daily Star published a report titled "S Alam's Aladdin's lamp".
According to the report, S Alam Group owner Mohammed Saiful Alam has built a business empire in Singapore worth at least about USD 1 billion, although there is no record of him taking permission from Bangladesh Bank to invest or transfer any funds abroad.
The central bank has so far allowed 17 companies to invest outside the country, and the Chattogram-based business giant is not on that list, says the report. Yet in Singapore, Alam bought at least two hotels, two homes, one retail space, and other properties over the last one decade, all the while seeking to remove his name from the paper trails, it adds.
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"As of January 10, 2023, the central bank has cleared roughly about USD 40.15 million to be invested abroad globally, a Bangladesh bank document shows. The figure is 10 times less than what Alam has spent just to buy two hotels and one retail space – worth over USD 411.8 million – in Singapore since 2009," the report says.
"The Bangladesh Bank document also shows that just over USD 107,000 have so far been sent to Singapore legally by a number of companies, and none of them is owned by Alam," The Daily Star report says.
Graft case against Tarique, Zubaida: Charge hearing deferred till April 9
A Dhaka court on Wednesday deferred till April 9 the hearing on charge framing against BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman and his wife Zubaida Rahman in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for acquiring wealth beyond their known sources of income and concealing information in their affidavits.
Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special judge Md Asaduzzaman fixed the fresh date.
Earlier, on November 01, 2022, Dhaka court issued arrest warrants for Tarique Rahman and his wife Dr Zubaida in the graft case.
On June 26, the High court ordered the judicial court to dispose of the case as soon as possible.
The HC also rejected the couple’s writ petitions, challenging the corruption case against them.
As both of them remain fugitives, the court rejected the writ petitions – saying these are not acceptable.
Read more: Arrest warrants issued for Tarique and Zubaida Rahman in corruption case
The court also withdrew the stay order on the trial proceedings of the case filed against them.
On September 26, 2007, ACC lodged a complaint with Kafrul police against Tarique Rahman, Zubaida and her mother Iqbal Mand Banu for amassing illegal wealth worth Tk 4.81 crore and concealing the information.
In the same year, the High Court issued a rule suspending the trial proceedings in the case after hearing a petition filed by Zubaida.
The HC rejected the rule in 2017 and asked her to surrender before the court within eight weeks.
Zero tolerance against corruption: ACC chairman directs DCs
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah on Wednesday directed the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to show zero tolerance against corruption.
Country’s development is not possible with corruption, the matter has been brought to the notice of the DCs and Divisional Commissioners, he said while talking to reporters on the 2nd day of Deputy Commissioners’ Conference 2023 at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.
The DCs were asked to inform any corruption allegation to the ACC if there is no scope for taking action against anyone, he said.
“We have to prevent corruption at any cost, and whoever it is we are ready to investigate it,” he said.
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When asked about the corruption in the land offices, the ACC chairman said digitisation will help reduce corruption in the land offices to some extent.
Regarding the allegations of corruption against the DCs, he said, “I do not have the authority to give warnings on the issue of corruption. It is in our constitution. In view of that, laws have been made, commissions have been formed.”
He said that if there is any corruption case with merit for investigation, no matter who the person is, an investigation will take place.
Recruitment irregularities: ACC starts probe against ex-VC of Khulna Agricultural University
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has started an investigation against former vice-chancellor of Khulna Agricultural University (KAU), Dr Shahidur Rahman Khan, for his alleged involvement in irregularities in the recruitment of 426 teachers and staff members for the university.
KAU authorities on Monday (January 23, 2023) submitted documents related to last three years’ recruitment to the ACC.
The development came after a national daily published a report in September last year stating the irregularities in the recruitment process of Khulna Agricultural University. It said some 426 teachers and staff members were appointed for KAU against 350 students and also 43 departments were opened in just three years.
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Later, the University Grants Commission (UGC) conducted an investigation and found anomalies in the recruitment.
Based on the report, the education ministry on August 3 last year ordered cancellation of the appointment of 73 teachers and staff members including the relatives of the vice-chancellor.
In November last year, ACC took a decision to investigate the irregularities in the recruitment process of KAU and assigned Ershad Mia, deputy director of the ACC, to lead the investigation.
The investigation officer on January 2 sent a letter to the university authorities asking to submit recruitment related documents including recruitment notices, candidates' applications, and written test records by January 10.
Read more: Irregularities in recruitment: PUST VC freed after 4 hours of confinement
The anti-graft agency also requested university authorities to submit a probe report if any investigation was conducted previously in this connection.
Later, the inquiry officer extended the deadline till January 23 following the application of university authorities.
KAU Registrar Dr Mazharul Anwar on Monday submitted the documents to the investigating officer.
Ershad Mia, investigating officer, said he has received some documents and these will be inspected.
Read More: UGC asks 4 private universities to stop enrollment for failing to fulfill conditions
ACC submits chargesheet against BNP leader Mirza Abbas, wife
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Tuesday submitted a charge sheet against BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas and his wife Afroza Abbas in a case filed for acquiring wealth illegally.
ACC Secretary Mahbub Hossain disclosed this at a press briefing at the ACC headquarters.
Read more: ACC going after BNP's Amir Khasru with undisclosed equity arrangement in Hotel Sarina
The case was filed with Shahjahanpur (DMP) police station on January 7, 2019.
According to the case, the couple acquired wealth worth around Tk 20.75 crore beyond their known source of their income.
Chief assistant (cashier) of Tejgaon Thana Health Complex arrested by ACC
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Tuesday arrested the chief assistant (cashier) of Tejgaon Thana Health Complex Anisur Rahman for embezzling Tk 43 crore.
ACC Secretary Mahbub Hossain told reporters at the ACC headquarters on Tuesday.
He said that a team led by the investigating officer of the two cases Deputy director SMM Akhtar Hamid Bhuyan arrested them at 12 noon.
ACC Deputy Director (Public Relations) Muhammad Arif Sadek said that the money was embezzled through fake bill-vouchers in the project of setting up two medical college hospitals.
ACC filed two separate cases against three persons including Chief Assistant of Tejgaon Thana Health Complex.
Anisur Rahman on October 23 this year.
Read more: ACC arrests 3 govt officials on graft charges
Two cases were filed with the ACC's Integrated District Office, Dhaka-1.
The other defendants in the case are M Jahan Traders owner Mohsin Ali and the owner of Green Traders Mahfuz Huda Setu
According to the ACC sources, in the first case, the accused have been accused of withdrawing and embezzling TK 21 crore 83 lakh 28 thousand 512 through three fake bill-vouchers in the Sheikh Saira Khatun Medical College, Medical College Hospital and Nursing College establishment project of Gopalganj. In the second case, an allegation of embezzlement of Tk. 21 crore 84 lakh was made from the government treasury through four fake bills in the project 'Shaheed M. Mansoor Ali College and 500-bed Medical College Hospital in Sirajganj'
The money was embezzled between 12 and 20 June 2022.
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HC upholds bdnews24.com editor’s bail order
The High Court (HC) on Thursday upheld the trial court’s order granting bail to bdnews24.com Editor-in-Chief Toufique Imrose Khalidi in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) accusing the journalist of amassing wealth illegally.
The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the order after disposing of the rule seeking cancelation of the bail order.
Read more: Top court upholds bdnews24.com editor’s anticipatory bail order
However, he will have to seek permission from the trial court for going abroad.
Senior lawyer Yusuf Hussain Humayun, advocate Shahriar Kabir and barrister Mahbub Shafiq appeared for Khalidi in the court while Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan represented the ACC.
ACC Deputy Director Gulshan Anowar filed the case on July 30 in 2020.
According to the case statement, Khalidi has Tk 42 crore in different bank accounts which have no legal source.
On August 26, the High Court granted anticipatory bail to Khalidi for eight weeks.
Later, the ACC filed the petition with the Appellate Division challenging the HC order. However, the Appellate Division upheld the HC order on September 21.
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On October 20, Khalidi surrendered to Dhaka Senior Special Judge's Court and sought bail. After the hearing, the court granted him interim bail till November 25.
On November 25, the court granted him the permanent bail.
Later on December 8, 2020, following ACC’s petition seeking cancellation of the bail order, the HC issued a rule questioning why the bail granted to bdnews24.com rditor by the trial court should not be canceled.