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. New commissioner at Anti-Corruption Commission 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. Is our anti-corruption agency a cruel joke? 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. Anti-Corruption Drive that raised hope in 2019 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 Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) submitted chargesheet against 14 people including five physicians in a case over curtain scam at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital (former Faridpur Medical College Hospital-FMCH). Names of three people were excluded from the chargesheet as the ACC did not find their involvement in the graft. The chargesheet was submitted to Faridpur District and Sessions Judge Court in first week of this month after ACC Commissioner (investigation) Md Jahurul Hoque approved it. Scam-hit Islami Bank earns operational profit in 2022, Basic Bank reports loss The chargesheeted accused are contractor firm  Anik Traders’ owner Abdullah Al Mamun, M/S Ahmed Enterprise’s Owner Munshi Farrukh Ahmed, M/S Ali Traders’ owner Alamgir Kabir, administrative officer of National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital MunshiSajjad Hossain, FMCH’s former associate prof (pediatric) Dr Barun Kanti Biswas, senior consultant (ophthalmology) Dr Enamul Huq, prof (medicine) Dr SheikhAbdul Fattah, associate professor(surgery) Dr Md Mizanur Rahman, resident medical officer Dr Md Shafiqu Ullah, the hospital’s social welfare officer Omar Faruk, storekeeper Abdul Razzaque, senior health education officer to Faridpur civil surgeon office Alamgir Farik, deputy divisional engineer (civil) to Faridpur Public Works department Abdus Sattar and assistant engineer (electrical engineering) to Dhaka’s Health Engineering Department Miah Mortoja Hossain. ACC to investigate 3 Islamic banks over scam Those excluded from the chargesheet are the hospital’s associate prof (dental) Dr Ganapoti Biswas Shuvo, junior consultant (gynecology) Dr Minakki Chakma and Pathologist Dr AHM Nurul Islam. Md Rezaul Karim, deputy director of Faridpur ACC integrated office, said they submitted the chargesheet after getting a nod from the head office. He said the court set September 11 for hearing the case. The accused embezzled Tk 10crore in the name of purchasing equipment, including curtain at an abnormal price, for the hospital. Loan scam aftermath: SIBL Chairman and AMD resign After widespread criticism across the country over the matter, the High Court ordered the ACC to look into the allegations on August 20 in 2019. Subsequently, the ACC filed a case in this regard.    

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday filed a case against Nobel Laureate and Grameen Telecom chairman Dr Muhammad Yunus and 12 others for their alleged involvement in misappropriation of about Tk 25 crore from the company’s Workers Profit Participation ( WPPF). The commission’s deputy director Gulshan Anowar Pradhan filed the case with Dhaka district coordinated office -1, ACC director general Rezanur Rahman said.

A case was filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against seven officials of Bangladesh Krishi Bank allegedly for embezzling over Tk 2.2 crore making fake loan documents. Deputy Director of ACC Faridpur District Office Md. Rezaul Karim filed the case on Wednesday as a plaintiff. The accused are Md. Rezaul Haque, 43, former inspector of Rajbari district branch of Bangladesh Krishi Bank, former inspectors Md. Murtaza Ali, 41, Md Golam Ghaus, 65, former managers Md Mainul Islam, 63, Md Wahiduzzaman, 65, Md Siddiqur Rahman, 68, and SM Delwar Hossain, 61, of the same branch. According to the case statement, the accused created a total 246 fraud loan documents from July 01, 2014 to June 30, 2019 at the time of their working at Bangladesh Krishi Bank Rajbari branch. Read more: Embezzlement charge: 3 Ctg surveyors sent to jail Later, they created loan proposals of a total Tk 2 crore 20 lakh 19 thousand against the documents and made those approved by the managers. After approval, they withdraw money using names of various unknown customers. Deputy Director of ACC Faridpur District Office Md. Rezaul Karim said that the accused embezzled a huge amount of money in collusion with each other by creating fake loan documents.  

The High Court on Monday ordered the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate the allegation over purchasing of multiple houses by Awami League MP Abdus Sobhan Mia (Golap)  in New York. The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the order after hearing on a writ petition in this regard. The court asked the ACC to submit the probe report within four months. The court also issued a rule asking why the inaction of the respondents to investigate the allegation against Golap over purchasing multiple houses in New York and acquiring huge illegal property abroad through abusing power should not be declared illegal. Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Suman stood for the writ petition. Barrister Syed Sayedul filed the writ petition with the HC bench concerned on Sunday seeking investigation into the alleged purchase of nine houses by MP Golap in New York at a cost of 40 lakh dollar. Chief Election Commissioner, Chairman of Anti-Corruption Commission, Chairman of National Board of Revenue (NBR) and secretary to the Home Ministry were made respondents in the writ petition. Also Read: HC questions govt’s inaction to free house from AL MP Murshedy’s occupation  A report in this regard was published in a daily newspaper which was attached to the writ. Recently, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a global network of investigative journalism,  published a report on its website where it claimed that AL MP Golap purchased a number of houses in New York at a cost of 40 lakh dollar. According to the report, Golap started to buy homes in New York from 2014 and in five years, he managed to purchase nine houses. The estimated cost of the houses is approximately Tk 42 crore. Golap was elected AL MP from Madaripur-3 constituency in 2018 and he was made the publicity secretary of the Central Awami League in December last. He was also served as the office secretary of the party.    

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. Read more: Corruption in NSU’s land acquisition: Hearing on 4 trustees’ bail plea Thursday 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

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) commissioner Zahirul Haque has disclosed that  the commission will start an investigation about the properties of 459 Bangladeshi nationals in Dubai. The commissioner said this in a discussion with journalists in his office in the head office of ACC. The High Court on January 15 ordered four agencies, including the Anti-Corruption Commission, to investigate. The other agencies are Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and National Board of Revenue (NBR). The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat  passed the order after hearing a writ petition in this regard. It asked the four agencies to submit the progress report within a month. Also read: 459 Bangladeshis’ properties in Dubai: Writ petition seeks probe The court also issued a rule questioning why the inaction of the authorities concerned should not be declared illegal. On January 12, Advocate Subir Nandi filed the writ petition attaching a report in this regard published in a national daily. According to the report, a huge amount of money has been transferred to Dubai from different parts of the globe including Bangladesh. Based on a report of US-based Centre for Advanced Defense Studies, the EU Tax Observatory said 459 Bangladeshis have purchased 972 properties in Dubai till 2020, concealing the information in their own country. Also read: 459 Bangladeshis’ properties in Dubai: HC orders investigation by ACC, 3 agencies According to the report, Bangladeshis have purchased the properties worth approximately one billion dollars during this period, making them one of the top buyers in the real estate sector of Dubai. Experts believe that huge amounts of money are being transferred due to the lack of effective and strong measures to stop money laundering, it said.    

The High Court on Sunday ordered four agencies, including the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), to investigate about properties of 459 Bangladeshi nationals in Dubai. The other agencies are Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and National Board of Revenue (NBR). The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat  passed the order after hearing a writ petition in this regard. The court asked the four agencies submit the progress within a month. Read more: HC orders investigation on assets and bank accounts of Rajarbagh Pir The court also issued a rule questioning why the inaction of the authorities concerned should not be declared illegal in taking action regarding the complaint of the properties of 459 Bangladeshis in Dubai. On January 12, Advocate Subir Nandi filed the writ petition attaching a report in this regard published in a national daily. According to the report, a huge amount of money has been transferred to Dubai from different parts of the globe including Bangladesh openly and secretly.  Based on a report of US-based Centre for Advanced Defense Studies, the EU Tax Observatory said 459 Bangladeshis have purchased properties in Dubai concealing the information in their own country and the number of properties was 972 in 2020.  According to the report, Bangladeshis have purchased properties worth approximately one billion dollar during this period and Bangladeshi people were the top buyers in the real estate sector of Dubai. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is now in any way trying to boost foreign investment. For this, it is offering various facilities for rich people from abroad to buy properties. Read more: ACC may submit progress report of probe against Wasa MD within 15 days: HC Experts believe that huge amount of money are being transferred due to the lack of effective and strong measures to stop money laundering, it said.  

The High Court on Monday said the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) may submit a progress report of its ongoing investigation against managing director of Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) Taqsem A Khan. The ACC may submit the progress report within 15 days, said the HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat when ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan drew attention of the court to a newspaper report ‘Taqsem’s 14 houses in the US’ The report was published in Bangla daily ‘Samakal’ on Monday. Read: Narcotics case: SC upholds HC’s stay order or trial proceedings against Pori Moni However, the court did not pass any order based on the newspaper report. According to the Samakal report, the Wasa MD bought 14 houses in different states of the US. Several intelligence agencies including US intelligence watchdog Interpol, have started investigating the source of his money to buy the houses and information about the transaction process. According to the complaint submitted to the ACC recently, Taqsem laundered thousands crores Taka from Wasa’s big projects with foreign loans to the US through various means including hundi. He bought 14 luxury houses in posh areas of the country including Los Angeles, New York. Taqsem, also a US citizen, joined Dhaka Wasa as MD in 2009 while staying in the US. All members of his family stay there. Taqsem also stays with family in the US for about three months every year. On December 5 last year, HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat asked the ACC for an update on the ongoing investigation against Taqsem following a writ petition challenging the legality of his’s appointment as Wasa MD. Taqsem A Khan was appointed Wasa MD on a three-year contract in 2009. His contract was extended three times despitehis “poor performance”. Read: HC Chamber Judge asks Wasa MD to submit salary statement On October 11,  the Appellate Division Chamber Judge sought a report on how much money Taqsem received as salary, bonus and other facilities in the last 13 years. He was drawing extra salary and allowances going beyond the rules. According to the latest board decision, the monthly salary of Wasa MD is Tk 6.25 lakh. A case was filed against nine people including Taqsem alleging that Tk 132.4 crore of Dhaka Wasa Employees Multipurpose Cooperative Society was withdrawn and embezzled from six banks through various checks with the help and instructions of Wasa MD. The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) also sent a letter to all banks seeking information of  accounts of the Wasa MD on August 25 last year.  

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has demanded that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) withdraw the work order that gives its secretary the authority to appoint and transfer Deputy Director and Assistant Director rank officers involved in any investigation and inquiry. TIB voiced worry that this order could undermine the power of the ACC because the commission's chairman and commissioners will no longer have the aforementioned power, according to a press release. Mentioning the office order published on the ACC website on December 18, Iftekharuzzaman, the executive director of TIB, said, “According to the relevant law, the executive power of the ACC is entrusted to the chairman and the commissioners under his leadership." “What was the logic behind this shift of executive power? Why did the Commission decide to leave the power in the hands of the secretary, aka the bureaucracy?” asked Iftekharuzzaman. “This suicidal decision cedes all powers to the bureaucracy, including the permanent employment of ACC investigating officers, granting of current duties, allowances and leave, pension, PRL, awards on conviction of cases, and so on. Nothing remains of the ACC now,” he added.  Stating the shift in executive authority to be the final nail in the coffin of public expectations from the national anti-graft agency, TIB urged to revoke the order as soon as possible. Read more: IMF’s conditions for loan: TIB watchful about “discriminatory implications”