United News of Bangladesh

A Dhaka court on Thursday sent Motazzarul Islam Mithu, known as a central figure in health sector corruption during the Awami League government, to jail in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over graft. Acting Judge Ibrahim Miah of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Court passed the order following a hearing. The court has set September 18 as the date for a hearing on both remand and bail petitions. Earlier, Detectives from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DB) detained Mithu late Wednesday night from the capital’s Gulshan area. After his arrest, Mithu was brought to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for interrogation on Thursday before being produced in court. According to the ACC investigation report, Mithu, owner of two firms — Lexicon Merchandise and Technocrat — illegally accumulated vast sums of wealth. Businessman Mithu held in health sector graft:ACC His immovable assets (purchase of farmland, land leases, plots, flats, and house construction) stood at Tk 18.40 crore while movable assets (shares and investments in different companies, cars, bank deposits, gold ornaments, furniture, and electronic goods) is found at Tk 57.44 crore. Together, Mithu’s total wealth amounts to Tk 75.85 crore. Additionally, his family expenditures were estimated at Tk 71.45 crore bringing his total wealth and expenses to Tk 147.30 crore. In contrast, investigators traced legitimate sources for only Tk 71.49 crore. This indicates that Mithu amassed Tk 75.80 crore in illegal assets. Mithu’s name surfaced in the 2016 Panama Papers leaks. Allegations suggest that through his contracting firms, he abused his influence in supplying goods and executing development projects, siphoning off vast sums of public money.

Motazzarul Islam Mithu, known as a central figure in health sector corruption during the Awami League government, has been taken to court following his arrest. Detectives from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DB) detained him late Wednesday night from the capital’s Gulshan area. After his arrest, Mithu was brought to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for interrogation on Thursday before being produced before court. Confirming the matter, ACC Director General Md Akter Hossain said, “Mithu, arrested on charges of amassing wealth beyond known sources of income, has been taken to court. The investigating officer may seek remand if necessary.” According to the ACC investigation report, Mithu, owner of two firms — Lexicon Merchandise and Technocrat — illegally accumulated vast sums of wealth. His immovable assets (purchase of farmland, land leases, plots, flats, and house construction) stood at Tk 18.40 crore while movable assets (shares and investments in different companies, cars, bank deposits, gold ornaments, furniture, and electronic goods) is found Tk 57.44 crore. City Corporation shut for 40 days, yet millions spent on fuel: ACC Raid