[🇧🇩] Corruption Watch

[Saif]

ACC back in action to net ‘big fish’

The formation of the new commission has brought speed back to the Anti-Corruption Commission’s work. In just five days since its formation, the new commission’s scrutiny of heavyweight corruption suspects, deposed prime minister...

www.newagebd.net

ACC back in action to net ‘big fish’
Solamain Salman 21 December, 2024, 00:11

The formation of the new commission has brought speed back to the Anti-Corruption Commission’s work. In just five days since its formation, the new commission’s scrutiny of heavyweight corruption suspects, deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina among them, has gathered a fast pace.

In a flurry of activity in just five days, starting from its first working day on December 12, the agency filed cases and launched inquiries against high-profile corruption suspects, conducted anti-graft drives and issued international travel bans on suspects.

In December 12–19, the agency filed 20 cases against around 100 mostly powerful corruption suspects, former ministers, lawmakers, top bosses of banks and businessmen among them.

It also launched inquiries against at least 20 bigwig corruption suspects, conducted 29 anti-graft drives at different government offices, and issued international travel bans on around 30 high-profile corruption suspects during this time.

‘The commission will not spare any corrupt individual, and no favouritism will be shown to any special cadres or individuals,’ stated its director general for prevention Md Aktar Hossain.

Officials said that the commission’s activities were almost stalled for more than one month until the appointment of a new chairman and commissioners on December 10.

After joining office on December 11, its new chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen said that the commission would start probes into the allegations against ‘big fish’ immediately, as it was the expectation of people.

‘We will take action immediately about those cases of corruption that significantly affected the country and take action against the culprits behind the corruption,’ he said at the time.

In its first five working days, at least 20 cases were filed against around 100 corruption suspects, including former ministers Zahid Maleque, Sadan Chandra Mojumder and Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury, and former state ministers Mirza Azam and Zunaied Ahmed Palak, over allegations of amassing illegal wealth.

The accused in these cases also include former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed, former Detective Branch of police chief Harun-or-Rashid, former lawmakers Nizam Uddin Hazari and Naimur Rahman Durjoy, former National Board of Revenue official Matiur Rahman, former Islami Bank chairman Ahsanul Alam, and the bank’s managing director Mohammad Monirul Moula.

The commission has also sped up its probes into new graft allegations, while widening its net in a bid to bring more individuals under scrutiny.

The ACC launched inquiries against at least 20 heavyweights, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana and son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, former minister and Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader, former IFIC Bank chairman Salman F Rahman, former managing director Shah Alam Sarwar, former revenue board chairman Najibur Rahman, sacked major general Ziaul Ahsan, former secretary ABM Amin Ullah Nuri, and S Alam Group chairman Mohammad Saiful Alam, over allegations of amassing illegal wealth, power abuse and money laundering.

Regarding inquiries, the commission has started an inquiry into allegations of embezzling Tk 80,000 crore by Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and Rehana’s daughter Tulip Siddiq from different development projects, including the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project initiated during the Awami League regime.

The agency also issued travel bans on around 30 people, including former ministers Amir Hossain Amu, Mujibul Haque and Shariar Alam, former lawmakers Nurnabi Chowdhury Shawon, Abu Jahir, and Alauddin Ahmed Chowdhury Nasim, Bahauddin Bahar, Dhaka Regency hotel managing director Kabir Reza, Samabay Bank former chairman Mohiuddin Ahmed, and former Cumilla city mayor Thasin Bahar Suchana.

The commission’s enforcement unit in these five days also conducted around 30 anti-corruption drives at different government offices, including the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, passport offices, land offices and the Election commission office.

When asked, former commission director general Moyeedul Islam told New Age, ‘The new commission is now filing cases and initiating inquiries that were pending during its absence.’

‘If the new commission can net “big fishes”, those who are involved with mega corruption and ensures punishment for them, its capacity would be proved only then,’ he added.

Experts and stakeholders have long been suggesting reforms in the Anti-Corruption Commission to sufficiently empower it to act with effective independence, freeing it from both political and bureaucratic influences.

Successive governments through its authority over appointing the top brass of the agency, placed its favoured officers in the commission and maintained comfortable control over it. As a result, the commission’s ability to act with independence in fighting corruption had severely been stymied right from its establishment in 2004, experts told New Age.

Despite officially being an independent agency, the ACC has rather been used as a weapon by the political governments against their opponents, they observe.

For the same reason, the agency could rarely take into account the corruption allegations brought against the powerful ones, belonging to or associated with the ruling parties, experts have said.

Former senior secretary Mohammad Abdul Momen was appointed as the commission chairman with former district and sessions judge Mia Mohammad Ali Akbar Azizi and Brigadier General (retd) Hafiz Ahsan Farid appointed as commissioners on December 9.​

 

[Saif]

Summit power co dodges Tk 11.12 billion in taxes

An investigation by the Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) in the revenue sector has uncovered that Summit Group has evaded payment of Tk 11.12 billion in taxes in the single-largest case of tax-dodging in Bangladesh, officials say. The tax avoidance has occurred by way of not deducting withh

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Summit power co dodges Tk 11.12 billion in taxes
'We have never evaded tax', Summit claims
Doulot Akter Mala
Published :
Dec 22, 2024 00:35
Updated :
Dec 22, 2024 00:35

An investigation by the Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) in the revenue sector has uncovered that Summit Group has evaded payment of Tk 11.12 billion in taxes in the single-largest case of tax-dodging in Bangladesh, officials say.

The tax avoidance has occurred by way of not deducting withholding tax on dividend payments from two of its outfits, one opened in the trade entrepot of Singapore.

It is the largest private -sector participant in the power sector during the previous government's tenure, when quick-rental power deals offered a sort of indemnity to certain private power producers.

A CIC official described it as "the country's largest TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) scandal" discovered so far.

The tax demand has been unearthed by the CIC following cancellation of discriminatory tax privileges for the company not available for similar type of other power companies, officials said.

As per the CIC findings, Summit Corporation Limited failed to deduct 20-percent withholding tax while paying dividends to its shareholder Summit Power Limited.

Similarly, Summit Corporation Limited did not deduct 15-percent withholding tax while transferring dividends to Summit Power International, a Singapore-listed company.

Asked how this tax will be recovered or what actions the National Board of Revenue (NBR) will take, Dhaka Tax Zone-2 Commissioner Barrister Mutasim Billah Faruqui said, "We are now moving for collection from Summit. A demand notice might be issued in this regard this week."

He said the NBR chairman directed them to proceed with recovery.

The Summit management has limited scope to contradict the tax demand as it has been settled by the NBR as central authority.

However, the company can lodge appeal or go to tribunal paying 10-percent tax for lingering the process of tax recovery.

"It was a discriminatory tax privilege enjoyed by Summit as such benefits were not available for similar companies," he added.

"The revenue board is the central authority to interpret the tax evasion, so it's proved that the taxpayer has avoided or evaded payment of taxes, not an allegation," he notes about the status of the tax case.

The only way the conglomerate can now get away from the toils of tax law is to pay off the demanded taxes, the official categorically states.

Responding to FE's query, Summit Corporation Ltd has issued an official statement to clarify their position.

"We are yet to receive any information from NBR or any of tax authorities. Summit has never evaded any tax. Upon receipt of any letter from NBR or tax authorities, we will do whatever is required to be done as per the laws of Bangladesh. We always did and shall always abide by the laws."

The once-favoured corporate falls from grace after a change of guards on the corridors of power. After the interim government assumed responsibility following the August changeover, the NBR's CIC began investigating large industrial groups.

A single case from Summit Group revealed this massive tax evasion or avoidance, which taxmen describe as the tip of the iceberg in corporate cooking of books apparently to evade high-rated business taxes.

Findings from the investigation: Over a month and a half, the CIC had scrutinized all shareholder records, dividend declarations, and disbursement information of Summit Power Limited, leading to these findings.

On August 20, investigations were initiated into several major industrial groups, including Beximco, Bashundhara, Summit, Orion, and Nassa, seeking transaction details of their owners and family members. Letters were sent to banks and financial institutions to gather information.

Initially, the investigation targeted personal tax evasion. However, suspicions of higher evasion at the corporate level led to an expanded inquiry, including assigning investigation officers for each company. So far, this remains the largest instance of tax evasion uncovered.

Summit Power Limited's capital structure: Summit Power Limited has a paid-up capital of Tk 10.67 billion. Its shareholders include Summit Corporation Limited, holding 63.19 per cent, Eurohub Investments Limited (3.65 per cent), institutional investors (18.52 per cent), and general investors (14.64 per cent).

According to Section 117 of the Income Tax Act 2023, companies registered in Bangladesh are required to deduct withholding tax while paying dividends.

However, Summit Power failed to deduct 20-percent withholding tax on dividends paid to Summit Corporation. In contrast, other entities and investors were subject to deducting the taxes. From the financial years 2017-18 to 2023-24, Summit Power Limited had not deducted Tk 3.18 billion in withholding tax on dividends paid to Summit Corporation. Including penalties, this amount has now ballooned Tk 4.65 billion.

A similar aberration occurred when Summit Corporation transferred dividends to Summit Power International.

NBR decisions on tax recovery: The duo of Summit Power Limited and Summit Corporation Limited are taxpayers under the jurisdiction of NBR's Tax Zone-2, which is responsible for collecting the unpaid taxes.

Based on requests from this tax zone, the NBR revoked its previous clarification, which had exempted Summit Power from deducting withholding tax. A new clarification was issued stating that a 20-percent withholding tax must apply to dividends paid by Summit Power Limited to Summit Corporation Limited.

A 15-percent withholding tax must apply to dividends paid by Summit Corporation Limited to the non-resident company Summit Power International Limited under the Bangladesh-Singapore double-taxation -avoidance agreement.

Commissioner Mutasim Billah Faruqui explains, "When a clarification is invalidated, any benefits derived from it become void. The previously obtained exemption is now deemed unlawful, and taxes will be imposed accordingly."

Summit Power International's chairman, Aziz Khan, is adjudged as one of Singapore's wealthiest individuals. Bank accounts belonging to him and his 11 family members have been frozen by the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), which issued directives to all banks and financial institutions to this effect.

Various agencies continue to investigate allegations against Summit Group and his family members. Economist Dr Zahid Hussain, former lead economist of the World Bank Bangladesh, says it might be legally ambiguous to claim as tax evasion as the privilege has been availed as per a government gazette issued by the NBR.

"It can be said as tax evasion. It is horizontally discriminatory but they have legalized it through clarification. Similar companies were not entitled for the benefit," he added.

"It is clear that the deal has been signed through corruption or underhand dealings and it must be investigated why such discriminatory clarification has been issued," he added.​

 

[Saif]

New ACC chief discloses his wealth, income and liabilities

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen on Sunday revealed his assets and liabilities to the media. He shared his income and expenditure and asset details with the media at the views-exchange programme between the new commission members and media professionals at i

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

New ACC chief discloses his wealth, income and liabilities
UNB
Published :
Dec 22, 2024 21:11
Updated :
Dec 22, 2024 21:11

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen on Sunday revealed his assets and liabilities to the media.

He shared his income and expenditure and asset details with the media at the views-exchange programme between the new commission members and media professionals at its headquarters in the city.

The ACC Chairman said that he has formally submitted his assets and liabilities details to the ACC Reform Commission while other commissioners will submit their assets and liabilities details.

Mohammad Abdul Momen joined the office on December 11, a day after being appointed. On that day, he had announced that he would disclose his movable and immovable assets and income and expenditure accounts within seven days.

On that day, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) called on the new ACC Chairman and Commissioners to disclose their income and wealth statements for the sake of transparency.

Revealing his assets, the ACC Chairman said that he has an apartment of 1,500 square feet, consisting of two 750 square feet apartments in Basila. He is in the process of acquiring another 700 square feet there.

"I have a vacant land with my wife in Purbachal American City, five kathas. I was a member of the BCS administration committee. There is 10 kathas of land there for eight members. My share will be 1.25 kathas. I paid money in 2007, but I have not received possession yet," he said.

He also said that he had deposited TK75000 for a plot in RAJUK. Till date, there has been no settlement of it. For whatever reason, the government did not give it to me.

"I will apply again. Apart from this, I do not have any other immovable assets," he clarified.

Regarding movable assets, the ACC chairman said, there are 25 self-contained books of different sizes. There are many expensive books. There are furniture and electronic equipment, including things worth five lakh taka. There

He said he received interest from a savings certificate of five years of Tk 3.0 million and a savings certificate of Tk 2.0 lakh taka every three months. "I have not withdrawn my GPF money, there is Tk 1.7 million there," he added.

Telling about his source of income, he said, my income from work - the sale proceeds of inherited assets.

"I teach, lecture, write. I bought a land outside the embankment five and a half centuries ago, and I will get some money by selling it," he shared.

He claimed his working life is long. "I started earning since my student days. When I leave this job, you will calculate how much this wealth has increased, how much it has decreased," he also said.

The ACC Chairman said the political changeover we are witnessing in Bangladesh since August 5 is unique in world history, as demonstrated by the fact that the Prime Minister fled, and at the same time the Khatib of Baitul Mukarram has also fled.

Saying that corruption is rampant in the state, he said public awareness needs to be created on this issue.

He also emphasised active engagement and asked the media to play a role in this regard.

ACC Commissioner Commissioner (Inquiry) Mian Muhammad Ali Akbar Azizi said ACC is working with only half its designated manpower.

"We will investigate freely. Where there will be no bias. We are committed to the nation," he said.

ACC Commissioner (Investigation) Brigadier General (retd) Hafiz Ahsan Farid said ACC's professional base is very strong. Even after 42 days of non-commission, ACC officers and employees have worked tirelessly.

"ACC will not enslave any people in the world," he added.​

 

[Saif]

Embezzlement found in 21 ICT projects

An interim government review committee has found proof of embezzlement in 21 projects taken by the Information and Communication Technology Division during the Awami League regime...

www.newagebd.net

Embezzlement found in 21 ICT projects
Taufiq Hossain Mobin 25 December, 2024, 00:07

Zunaid Ahmed Palak and Sajeeb Wazed Joy. | UNB file photo

An interim government review committee has found proof of embezzlement in 21 projects taken by the Information and Communication Technology Division during the Awami League regime which was ousted on August 5 through a student-led mass uprising.

Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed, former ICT adviser to the deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and Junaid Ahmed Palak, former state minister for the ICT, used to share money embezzled in the name of hiring manpower for projects under the division, the committee found.

The committee also sees a scope for saving about Tk 7,000 crore by cutting unnecessary components in these projects taken by the division.

ICT secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury on Tuesday made the statements at a press conference at the office of the ICT Division in the capital Dhaka while disclosing the findings of the committee.

The review committee was formed following an office order issued by the ICT Division on August 28 to review the completed and the under implementation projects taken by the division during the past 15 years of Awami League rule.

The 12-member committee headed by additional secretary for planning and development wing Mahbubur Rahman submitted the investigation report to the interim government, said Shish Haider.

‘Not only the political leadership, but also the bureaucrats in charge at that time are responsible for the corruption in such projects,’ he added.

‘Projects with irregularities will be stopped, and their contracts will be cancelled if needed. Those who are responsible for corruption in the ICT department’s purchases will be identified and punished from the forthcoming January,’ Shish Haider said.

The estimated costs of these projects were Tk 18,600 crore, said ICT Division officials.

The committee identified numerous unnecessary, overpriced and unjustified projects approved by the previous administration.

Review committee head Mahbubur Rahman told New Age that many of the unnecessary projects and components had already been slashed by the division during the investigation period.

‘Many hi-tech parks and IT training centres were built on agricultural land at the district and upazila levels to fulfil the desires of Awami League leaders,’ he said.

‘Many of these projects in different districts and upazilas are not useful to anyone. Several thousand crore taka has already been wasted on these facilities. We see no reason for keeping them,’ Mahbubur said.

He mentioned that a project was taken to make a cinema named ‘Khoka’ with a cost of Tk 16 crore.

‘This is not even the ICT Division’s area of work, numerous projects such as this were taken by the previous administration,’ Mahbubur said.

The review committee in its report recommended several key steps to improve project implementation.

It suggested, among others, removing unnecessary activities, making facilities permanent before project completion, clearly defining the roles of the Bangladesh Computer Council, Hi-Tech Park Authority and ICT Division, and resolving audit issues promptly.​

 

[Saif]

ACC to probe Padma Bridge, Novo Theatre graft cases again

The Anti-Corruption Commission has started proceeding with its bid to reinvestigate four years-old cases over conspiracies to commit corruption in the Padma Bridge contract awarding and corruption in...

www.newagebd.net

ACC to probe Padma Bridge, Novo Theatre graft cases again
Staff Correspondent 25 December, 2024, 00:17

The Anti-Corruption Commission has started proceeding with its bid to reinvestigate four years-old cases over conspiracies to commit corruption in the Padma Bridge contract awarding and corruption in building the Bangabandhu Novo Theatre planetarium.

‘We are scrutinising all the records and papers around the corruption cases, and we will take a decision regarding conducting further investigation within the shortest time,’ said a commission director general, preferring anonymity, on Tuesday.

According to the documents of the cases, on March 27, 2002, the now-defunct Bureau of Anti-Corruption filed three cases with the Tejgaon police, accusing former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and some former ministers of commiting corruption and irregularities in dealing with the project for building the Bangabandhu Novo Theatre planetarium.

The charges included unduly spending enormous amounts on hiring consultants for the project, purchasing machinery, and the planetarium construction work.

But the High Court on March 4, 2010, quashed all the proceedings against Sheikh Hasina, then prime minister, in all the three corruption cases.

The court also declared illegal both the filing and proceedings of the cases.

In a high-profile graft scandal, potential Padma Bridge financier World Bank in 2012 brought allegations of ‘conspiracy for corruption’ leading the then Sheikh Hasina-led government to launch an investigation.

The Anti-Corruption Commission after inquiries, filed a case of ‘conspiracy for corruption in the Padma Bridge project’ on December 17, 2012 against seven individuals: former Bridges Division secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, Bangladesh Bridge Authority superintendent engineer Kazi Mohammad Ferdous, Roads and Highways executive engineer Riaz Ahmad Jaber, Engineering Planners Consultant Ltd’s deputy managing director Mohammad Mostafa, director of international projects wing at the SNC-Lavalin company Mohammed Ismail, and the firm’s former vice presidents Ramesh Saha and Kevin Wallace.

The commission in its inquiry phase of the corruption allegations also included then communications minister Syed Abul Hossain and then state minister for foreign affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury as suspects. But when the commission filed the case later, the two names were not included as accused.

The allegations, however, led minister Abul Hossain to resign, and state minister Mosharraf Hossain to be put on forced leave.

But on September 14, 2014, the ACC submitted a final report to the court recommending relieving of all the seven accused, saying that the charges could not be proved during the probe.

The World Bank, however, eventually pulled out of the project as the financier to lend US$1.2 billion.

On Tuesday, the anti-corruption agency also sent a letter to the Chief Adviser’s Office, seeking documents on eight other projects that were taken during the tenure of now ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Agency deputy director Md Salahuddin sent the letter, requesting the documents to conduct inquiries against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members over allegations of embezzling and misuse of Tk 21,000 crore in the eight projects.

It also requested the Chief Adviser’s Office to provide the information by January 7, said ACC deputy director Aktarul Islam.

According to the letter, Hasina and others are under probe for alleged abuse of power and corruption during the implementation of the eight projects—the Mirsharai Economic Zone, Khurushkul Special Ashrayan Project, Ashrayan Project-2, BEPZA Economic Zone, Mirsharai First Phase, water treatment and deep tube well installation at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial City, two modern fire stations in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial City and the Indian Economic Zone in Mirsharai as well as the development of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial City.

Earlier, the agency sent letter to the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit, summoning all the documents related to the local and international transactions of Sheikh Hasina and her family members.

It also sent letters to the Election Commission Office and the Immigration and Passport Office, seeking their personal documents.

A five-member team, formed on December 18, led by ACC deputy director Md Salahuddin is tasked with the probe into the graft allegations against them.

The ACC has started the inquiry over allegations of corruption worth Tk 80,000 crore against Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, her younger sister Sheikh Rehana, and Rehana’s daughter Tulip Siddique in nine projects undertaken between 2009 and 2023, including the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.

Apart from this, on December 22, the anti-graft body also started another inquiry against Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy over allegations of laundering $300 million.​

 

[Saif]

Corruption behind shrinking overseas labour market

Corruption, irregularities, and fraud have caused a significant contraction in Bangladesh’s labour market for migrant workers, according to a report by the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU).

www.thedailystar.net

Corruption behind shrinking overseas labour market
Says RMMRU report

Corruption, irregularities, and fraud have caused a significant contraction in Bangladesh's labour market for migrant workers, according to a report by the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU).

The report reveals that over 97 percent of Bangladeshi migrant workers have been sent to just 10 countries in the last five years.

This year, more than 90 percent of the workers were employed in six countries, with Saudi Arabia receiving over 60 percent of the total.

Malaysia and Qatar were also identified as major destinations.

However, the report highlights a worrying trend concerning female migrant workers.

The number of women migrating has sharply decreased this year, with only 54,696 female migrant workers going abroad.

This marks a 22 percent decline compared to the previous year.

Overall, the total number of migrant workers has fallen, with 906,355 leaving Bangladesh in 2024, a 30.8 percent drop from 1,305,453 in 2023.

Despite this, remittance inflows have seen a notable increase.

It is estimated that remittances in 2024 will total USD 26.4 billion, representing a 32.5 percent rise from the previous year.

Prof Tasneem Siddiqui, founding chair of RMMRU, presented the findings in a briefing at the Jatiya Press Club yesterday.

She attributed the shrinking labour market to systemic corruption and irregularities.

"In 2021, Malaysia reopened its labour market under a syndicate, but it was closed again in May 2024. This syndicate, led by Datuk Seri Aminul Islam and his Bangladeshi associate Ruhul Amin, embezzled USD 2 billion, which increased migration costs and left many workers stranded or forced to return home," she explained.

Prof Tasneem also said migration to several countries remained suspended in 2024, including Oman, Bahrain, the UAE, and the Maldives.

Additionally, migration to Italy and Serbia was halted due to the use of fake documents.

The report further pointed out that while migration slowed during the mass uprisings and economic instability, it has regained momentum in recent months.

In response to the challenges, Prof Tasneem recommended that the interim government prioritise good governance in the migration sector.

She called for the establishment of a dedicated migration commission, an increase in budget allocations, and the formulation of effective policies to address international migration challenges.

She also stressed the need for policy reforms, improved skills development for workers, and the creation of safe employment opportunities for women.

Transparency in the recruitment process and the strengthening of training centres were also emphasised as key to improving the migration system.​

 

[Saif]

HSIA 3rd terminal project: ACC probe begins over Tk 4,000cr embezzlement

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Sunday decided to conduct an inquiry against project director AKM Maksudul Islam and others involved over allegations of corruption and embezzlement of Tk 4,000 crore...

www.newagebd.net

HSIA 3rd terminal project: ACC probe begins over Tk 4,000cr embezzlement
Staff Correspondent 30 December, 2024, 01:08

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Sunday decided to conduct an inquiry against project director AKM Maksudul Islam and others involved over allegations of corruption and embezzlement of Tk 4,000 crore in the construction of the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

The decision for the inquiry came at a meeting held at the commission’s Segun Bagicha headquarters in the capital, said its director general for prevention Md Akhtar Hossain.

‘We have decided to start an inquiry into the allegations that AKM Maksudul Islam, the project director of HSIA’s third terminal, and others embezzled Tk 4,000 crore from the project through abuse of power, widespread irregularities, corruption and fraud.’

The allegations also include inflating the project cost from an estimated Tk 7,000 crore to Tk 22,000 crore through fraud and irregularities; purchasing equipment locally but claiming them as imports to misappropriate funds; embezzling Tk 900 crore through mismanagement in soil testing and design alteration; and selling three major contracts to contractors for commission.

Other allegations include installing low-quality equipment imported from China and Korea although tender documents mention European-standard equipment; widespread irregularities in ceiling works; spending of Tk 12 crore on unnecessary tasks to appease former prime minister Sheikh Hasina; and forming a ‘syndicate’ to embezzle project money.

When asked whether Sheikh Hasina was involved in the corruption, Aktar Hossain said, ‘Everyone who is found involved in the inquiry will be brought to justice.’

‘The ACC is committed to uncovering the truth behind these allegations and ensuring accountability for any wrongdoing,’ he added.

On October 7, 2023, the then prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, inaugurated the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

On December 28, 2019, ADC, a consortium of Mitsubishi Corporation, Fujita Corporation and Samsung C&T Corporation, began the construction of the third terminal.

The government contributed Tk 5,000 crore to the cost with the rest of the amount coming from the Japan International Cooperation Agency as loans.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh on various occasions said that passengers would be able to use the third terminal from October this year, but it has yet to start its full operation.​

 

[Saif]

Former ACC commissioner being investigated over illegal assets, smuggling funds

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated an investigation against its former commissioner Jahurul Haque for alleged irregularities in acquiring a RAJUK plot, laundering money, and illegally obtaining assets in the BDR killings case. Two senior ACC officials confirmed the decision on Thur

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Former ACC commissioner being investigated over illegal assets, smuggling funds
Published :
Dec 29, 2024 23:06
Updated :
Dec 29, 2024 23:06

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated an investigation against its former commissioner Jahurul Haque for alleged irregularities in acquiring a RAJUK plot, laundering money, and illegally obtaining assets in the BDR killings case.

Two senior ACC officials confirmed the decision on Thursday.

One of them told bdnews24.com, "The commission has decided to investigate him for abusing his power to acquire assets beyond his known income."

This marks the first time an ACC commissioner, current or former, faces such charges.

The home ministry has revoked Jahurul's passport and barred him from leaving the country.

Jahurul, a retired district and sessions judge, served as a judge in the BDR killings case.

He later served as BTRC commissioner and chairman before joining the ACC as commissioner in 2021.

He resigned on Oct 30 following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government.

ALLEGED PLOT VIOLATIONS

Jahurul and his wife, Masuma Begum, allegedly violated rules by obtaining two separate five-katha plots in RAJUK’s Purbachal New Town project.

They later surrendered these plots, claimed to be landless, and secured a 10-katha plot "suitable for building a house".

This allocation contradicts RAJUK's policy, which prohibits individuals with existing plots in Dhaka from obtaining new ones.

RAJUK documents show that Jahurul and Masuma possessed and registered their respective plots between 2013 and 2014.

In 2022, Jahurul applied for a 10-katha plot, saying he and his wife had no objection to surrendering their previous plots.

His request was approved at a RAJUK board meeting in December 2022.

RAJUK's plot allocation rules, amended in 2009, disallow dual ownership by couples and require the surrender of one plot.

While some couples complied, Jahurul's case avoided cancellation.

Responding to allegations in November, Jahurul said: "There was no such rule when we received the plots.

“Later, we surrendered them, claimed to be landless, and requested a 10-katha plot. The allocation followed proper procedures."

When asked about irregularities in the case, a long-serving RAJUK official told bdnews24.com: "The new rules came into effect in 2024.

“The ACC commissioner had already received two plots before this, so the new rules do not apply to him. His acquisition of two plots falls outside these regulations."​