[🇧🇩] Corruption Watch

[Saif]

ACC scrutinising graft allegations against APS, PS of two advisers

The Anti-Corruption Commission is scrutinising the corruption allegations surfaced against private secretaries and assistant private secretary of two advisers of the interim government, ACC officials said.

www.newagebd.net

ACC scrutinising graft allegations against APS, PS of two advisers
Staff Correspondent 24 April, 2025, 21:34

Front view of Anti-Corruption Commission head office in Dhaka. | File photo

The Anti-Corruption Commission is scrutinising the corruption allegations surfaced against private secretaries and assistant private secretary of two advisers of the interim government, ACC officials said.

It was reported in a Bangla daily that a former assistant private secretary of youth and sports ministry adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and a former and a serving private secretaries of health adviser Nurjahan Begum were allegedly involved in corruption.

An ACC official told New Age that the commission collected the report published by the Bangla daily on Thursday regarding graft allegations against the APS and the PSs of the two advisers, and the report was sent to the scrutiny cell of the commission.

When asked, ACC director general (prevention) Md Akhter Hossain said that the commission would take appropriate action in accordance with law regarding the corruption allegations against the APS and the PSs of the two advisers.

Speaking at a press briefing at the ACC headquarters in the capital Dhaka on Thursday, Akhter assured that the commission was aware of the allegations and would proceed based on legal procedures.

According to the Bangla daily report, Asif Mahmud’s former APS Md Moazzem Hossain was accused of lobbying, and similar allegations were made against the health adviser’s personal secretaries Tuhin Farabi and Mahmudul Hasan.

Amid graft allegations, Moazzem and Tuhin have been relieved of their posts, and a government order was issued on April 21, relieving Moazzem Hossain and Tuhin Farabi, said the report.

It said Moazzem allegedly embezzled a huge amount of money through recruitment and transfer business, tender business and rehabilitation of engineers who were allies of fascism at various levels.

It was alleged that Moazzem, a leader of the anti-discrimination movement, lobbied for the transfer and promotion of almost all grades of officials from chief engineer and additional chief engineer to upazila engineer of the local government engineering department.

In addition, he used to go around lobbying various ministries and departments. Especially in the home, water resources, housing and public works department and roads and highways department, he lobbied for contractors to get work.

Almost the same allegations were made against health adviser Nurjahan Begum’s personal officer (student representative) Tuhin Farabi and Md Mahmud. Since they were appointed on a temporary basis, they have allegedly embezzled hundreds of crores of taka through the appointment and transfer of doctors, medical college principals, directors, deputy directors, and civil surgeons, according to the report.

It is also known that they had lobbied to include the names of senior staff nurses, midwives, pathology technicians, nurses, and doctors in the Hajj team while there are allegations against them of extorting special benefits from health sector contractors.

Moazzem, however, told the media that he was not removed. He resigned from his post due to personal reasons.

He claimed that he had a viva voce examination in the Public Service Commission next month while he was also preparing to give a viva in an examination of the Bangladesh Bank. For these reasons, he resigned, he claimed.

On the other hand, after August 8, 2024, Tuhin Farabi and Mahmudul Hasan transferred several doctors through the former health secretary.

They allegedly took Tk 5 lakh to Tk 10 lakh for each transfer.

The two allegedly used to collect Tk 15 lakh to Tk 25 lakh for the appointment and transfer of the principal, director, deputy director, and civil surgeon of the medical college, said the report.

In addition, they used to collect Tk 2 lakh for the transfer of each senior staff nurse and midwife.

They are accused of taking money to include the names of nurses and doctors in the Hajj team.​

 

[Saif]

Midland Bank refutes BCB statement on Tk 2.5 billion fund transfer

Midland Bank has rejected a statement titled “BCB’s Explanation Regarding the Transfer of BDT 250 Crore by Faruque Ahmed” released by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The BCB statement contains “misleading and baseless information” about the bank, it said in a rejo

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Midland Bank refutes BCB statement on Tk 2.5 billion fund transfer
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Apr 27, 2025 21:40
Updated :
Apr 27, 2025 21:40

Midland Bank has rejected a statement titled “BCB’s Explanation Regarding the Transfer of BDT 250 Crore by Faruque Ahmed” released by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

The BCB statement contains “misleading and baseless information” about the bank, it said in a rejoinder on Sunday.

The following is the rejoinder verbatim:

On April 26, 2025, BCB issued a press release titled “BCB’s Explanation Regarding the Transfer of BDT 250 crore by Faruque Ahmed,” which included misleading and baseless information about Midland Bank. Midland Bank strongly protests and condemns this.

The published report, quoting BCB’s statement, mentioned: "Prioritizing the protection of financial interests, the BCB Board has re-evaluated its banking relationships and decided to transact only with financial institutions listed under Bangladesh Bank's 'Green' and 'Yellow' zone. An amount of BDT 250 crore was withdrawn from banks categorized as risky, and BDT 238 crore was reinvested into banks listed in the 'Green' and 'Yellow' zone."

It is important to note that, according to various newspaper reports (reference: The Daily Star, date: 11.03.2024), Midland Bank is one of the eight banks designated under the 'Green' zone by Bangladesh Bank, as reported in the newspapers. Despite being classified as 'Green,' as per the news reports, BCB withdrew its deposits from Midland Bank before the maturity date (through premature encashment) and transferred them to various banks.

Notably, according to the cited report, Midland Bank is the only fourth-generation bank included in the 'Green' list. Midland Bank maintains a satisfactory position across all financial indicators, including capital adequacy, asset quality, profitability, and management efficiency, and operates with the highest financial discipline as per Bangladesh Bank and all regulatory regulations.

The publication of BCB's press release has harmed the image of Midland Bank, which is unfortunate. The deposit placed by BCB with Midland Bank was returned immediately upon BCB’s request, even before maturity, demonstrating the strength and financial capability of Midland Bank. As on December 31, 2024, NPL Ratio of the Bank was 3.78 per cent and Capital Adequacy Ratio was 16.78 per cent, much higher than the minimum required ratio of 12.50 per cent.

BCB’s explanation also indicated that restructuring banking relationships resulted in increased profits from term deposits. Recently, several media reports have highlighted incidents where customers were unable to retrieve their deposits from various banks, often after placing funds in risky institutions in hopes of higher returns. Such issues have been reported widely. In contrast, Midland Bank consistently manages its funds prudently, ensuring that customers can withdraw their deposits at any time without notice.

In light of the above, as one of the most reputable media outlets in the country, we respectfully request that you: Recognize that the information regarding Midland Bank in BCB's press release titled "BCB’s Explanation Regarding the Transfer of BDT 250 Crore by Faruque Ahmed" is false and misleading.

Retract the false and misleading information regarding Midland Bank and publish a corrected report clearly stating the bank’s true status as a well-organized financial institution listed under the 'Green' zone, as reported in the newspapers.

Exercise special caution to verify and ensure the accuracy of information before publishing any future news related to Midland Bank.​

 

[Saif]

ACC asks BCB for information on Papon over graft charges

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is investigating allegations of corruption against former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president and MP Nazmul Hassan Papon. The anti-graft watchdog’s spokesman Akhtarul Islam said a letter was sent to the board as part of the inquiry on Monday, reports

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

ACC asks BCB for information on Papon over graft charges
Published :
Apr 28, 2025 22:56
Updated :
Apr 28, 2025 22:56

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is investigating allegations of corruption against former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president and MP Nazmul Hassan Papon.

The anti-graft watchdog’s spokesman Akhtarul Islam said a letter was sent to the board as part of the inquiry on Monday, reports bdnews24.com.

Another senior official said the letter had sought 27 types of information and documents. The BCB was asked to deliver them within seven workdays.

Papon, the former minister for youth and sports and managing director of Beximco Pharmaceuticals, is accused of accumulating “huge assets beyond known sources of income” at home and abroad by misusing the BCB and government funds.

The anti-corruption watchdog also alleges that he has laundered money abroad through Hundi in connivance with Beximco Pharmaceuticals officials.

The ACC officially launched an investigation against Papon on Mar 18 following the shift of the political landscape.

The commission’s Director General Akhtar Hossain told the media then that Papon had been accused of embezzling money through corruption during his tenure as BCB president.

Earlier on Mar 16, the court issued a travel ban on Nazmul, his wife Roksana Hassan, daughters Sunehra Rahman, Rushmila Rahman and son Rafsan Hassan.

In mid-March, the commission formed a three-strong probe team with its Deputy Director Md Saiduzzaman as the team leader. The other members of the panel are Assistant Director Monirul Islam and Deputy Assistant Director Subimal Chakma.​

 

[Saif]

ACC launches enforcement drives across 36 LGED offices

The drives began today around 10:00am

www.thedailystar.net

ACC launches enforcement drives across 36 LGED offices

File photo

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) launched simultaneous enforcement drives across 36 offices of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) today, including its headquarters, in response to allegations of corruption and irregularities.

The allegations include the use of substandard construction materials in rural road and bridge or culvert projects, failure to maintain work quality, embezzlement of allocated funds through fake or minimal work, and various other misconducts.

The drives began today around 10:00am, according to Atharul Islam, Public Relations Officer of the ACC.

A press release issued by the ACC said that a total of Tk 1,909 crore had been allocated for post-flood rehabilitation in six districts of the Chattogram division—Feni, Noakhali, Cumilla, Lakshmipur, Chattogram, and Brahmanbaria.

Of this, Tk 1,647 crore is funded by the World Bank, while the remaining portion is to be borne by the Government of Bangladesh. However, the ACC received allegations of abnormal pricing of various items even before the project activities officially began.

The complaint noted that the price of each solar street light was set at Tk 72,000, despite the Planning Commission's statement that such lights were unnecessary.

Similarly, although 60 motorcycles were proposed, the Planning Commission instructed the number be reduced to 36.

Moreover, the reported expenses for laptops, computers, and various educational materials were deemed excessively high, particularly the proposed expenditure of Tk 11 lakh for just four laptops, which drew special attention.

Papon Kumar Saha, assistant director of the ACC and head of the raid team at the LGED headquarters, said the ACC team collected relevant project documents during the raid. These documents will be scrutinised and a detailed report will be submitted to the commission.

Meanwhile, The Daily Star's correspondent from Tangail reported that the ACC team led by its' Assistant Director Md Nur Alam raided the district's LGED office and found some irregularities in different works at Kalihati, Madhupur, Bhuiyanpur and Sakhipur upazilas.

Legal steps will be taken after further investigation, Md Nur Alam told journalists after the raid.

In Kurigram, the ACC team raided upazila LGED office, scrutinised different documents and talked to local people.

Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, deputy director of the ACC's Kurigram Integrated District Office, led the drive.

Contacted, Mizanur, however, did not disclose whether they found any irregularities or not.

Information will be disclosed after further investigation, he told The Daily Star.

In Patuakhali, a team from the ACC inspected a road construction site in Dharandi village under the Sadar upazila, following allegations of using substandard materials.

They measured the completed portion of the road and collected samples of construction materials to verify whether they met project specifications.

[Our correspondents from Tangail, Lalmonirhat, and Patuakhali contributed to the report]​

 

[Saif]

Corruption mars mechanism

GOVERNMENT land settlement is still much unsettled, lacking in transparency and mired in colonial practices. Bangladesh’s constitution has emphasised the establishment of a society free of hunger, bestowed with the right of equal access to resources. The Agricultural Khas Land Management and...

www.newagebd.net

Corruption mars mechanism
30 April, 2025, 22:50

More than three million acres of government land remain under illegal occupation while thousands of landless families wait for a rightful share. A proper distribution of the land could have brought about massive changes in the poverty rate, writes Nur-E-Sohitun Jahan

GOVERNMENT land settlement is still much unsettled, lacking in transparency and mired in colonial practices. Bangladesh’s constitution has emphasised the establishment of a society free of hunger, bestowed with the right of equal access to resources. The Agricultural Khas Land Management and Settlement Policy 1997 and Section 7 of the Land Reforms Act 2023 lay out that the government-owned agricultural land will be given to landless families or to agricultural labourers or share-croppers. The main object of this preferential list is to prevent the superiors from having extensive land holding and establish economic and social justice.

More than three million acres of government land remain under illegal occupation while thousands of landless families wait for a rightful share. A proper distribution of the land could have brought about massive changes in the poverty rate.

The Anti-Corruption Commission in January 2025 filed a case for misusing political status to illegally acquire land against the UK treasury minister Tulip Siddiq. After further investigation, it was found that during her tenure as prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, Tulip Siddiq’s aunt, allocated government plots of the Purbachal new town project to herself and the family.

The policy of 1997 encourages the distribution of newly formed government land in char areas for the benefits of poor char dwellers. But the current legislation remains reflective of the British-era practices that encouraged the control of zamindars and musclemen over the char land in the delta. But, the only difference now is that armies of musclemen have been replaced with illegal land-grabbers and the powerful elite. For expanding their economic interest, they work in collusion with local land administration. As a result, marginalised char dwellers are left in a vulnerable situation without land rights.

A June 2024 report says that some government-owned land was encroached on by local influential individuals in collusion with dishonest land officers at Dhulia Bazar in Patuakhali, which hindered the construction of shops and farms and market development works.

Land grab has become a common issue these days and no effective measures being taken to mitigate such land-related corruption. For instance, a July 2024 report found some locally influential people to occupy vast swathes of government-owned land, including hills, canals and rivers. A man is alleged to have erected houses on the land for rents by bribing the deputy commissioner.

The practice of bribery in land offices is widespread and a very common scenario where the powerful elite are dished out land-related services. In March 2024, a video showed a land officer in Kishoreganj taking bribe for clearing a land deed.

Why do the landless still wait while the corrupt reap the benefits of public land meant for them? These people deserve attention of policymakers with a view to bringing about reform and changes in policies.

Firstly, we must draw the attention of the government to the problem with new approaches. The first step that could be taken is to create a centralised digital government land database with tracking system and GIS mapping to monitor any unauthorised occupation. Secondly, it is important to empower the Anti-Corruption Commission.

Thirdly, a new and more appropriate law on government-owned land should be enacted to replace the problematic provisions. Fourthly, a beneficiary verification system should be introduced with a system linked to the national identity verification to ensure that applicants for government land own no other pieces of land.

Fifthly, a focus should be given on the livelihood of the landless. And finally, illegal occupation of government land can be criminalised with the proper implementation of the Land Crime Prevention and Remedy Act 2023 which would ensure a speedy disposal of forced acquisition and safeguard the rights of the landless.

Nur-E-Sohitun Jahan is a student of law at the Bangladesh University of Professionals.​

 

[Saif]

Planning adviser orders probe into graft allegations in Matarbari road project

Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud on Wednesday said he has instructed the secretary of the Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Department (IMED) under the Ministry of Planning to visit the Matarbari Road project site to investigate allegations of corruption and irregularities. Speaking to r

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Planning adviser orders probe into graft allegations in Matarbari road project
Published :
May 07, 2025 20:26
Updated :
May 07, 2025 20:26

Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud on Wednesday said he has instructed the secretary of the Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Department (IMED) under the Ministry of Planning to visit the Matarbari Road project site to investigate allegations of corruption and irregularities.

Speaking to reporters after the regular meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) at the NEC conference room, Mahmud referred to recent media reports that highlighted unusually high costs associated with the construction of a road in the Matarbari area—reportedly the most expensive in the country’s history on a per-kilometre basis, UNB reports.

Defending the cost, he explained that much of the road passes through uneven terrain, requiring the construction of numerous bridges and culverts.

“More than half of the road comprises bridges and culverts, which naturally increased the cost. So, the expense is not as excessive as it might seem,” he said.

He added that a high-powered committee will soon be formed to oversee the project and ensure proper monitoring.

The planning adviser also mentioned that an audit of the Matarbari power plant project, which cost Tk 6,571 crore, remains incomplete as the former project director is absconding.

“We are unable to get necessary answers because the project director is on the run,” he said.

Mahmud further noted that although the Matarbari power plant has a generation capacity of 1,200 MW, the Power Development Board (PDB) is currently drawing only 185 MW from it.

“It’s unfortunate that the plant’s full capacity is not being utilised,” he said, adding that coal needs to be imported twice a week to keep the plant operational. He also revealed that low-quality coal imported from Indonesia has been sent to Bangkok for testing, but those responsible have yet to share the results.

In a related development, the government has already formed a committee to investigate possible irregularities in the construction of embankments in the Sunamganj and Satkhira regions.

The 27.2-kilometre Matarbari link road, designed to connect the under-construction deep seaport in Maheshkhali with Cox’s Bazar, has drawn national attention due to its staggering cost of Tk 12,942 crore. That translates to approximately Tk 4.76 billion per kilometre, making it the most expensive road project in Bangladesh’s history.

Primarily funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the project features a two-lane road for most of its length, a four-lane segment near the port, 14 bridges, 45 culverts, and a railway overpass.

Originally slated for completion by 2026, the project deadline has now been pushed to 2029 due to delays and escalating costs.

According to the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), the high cost is largely due to challenging soil conditions in the coastal region and the stringent construction standards imposed by Japanese consultants and contractors.

While the Matarbari link road is considered a crucial infrastructure project intended to boost cargo handling and ease pressure on the Chattogram Port, its rising cost and delays have sparked public concern over governance and financial oversight in major national development efforts.​

 

[Saif]

BRT bus purchase faces legal Delays amid ACC probe

The procurement of buses for the Gazipur-Airport Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor remains stalled due to legal complications arising from the cancellation of the first tender, despite the completion of a new contractor selection process in August last year. Sources within the Dhaka BRT Company Lim

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

BRT bus purchase faces legal Delays amid ACC probe
Munima Sultana
Published :
May 08, 2025 19:27
Updated :
May 08, 2025 19:27

The procurement of buses for the Gazipur-Airport Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor remains stalled due to legal complications arising from the cancellation of the first tender, despite the completion of a new contractor selection process in August last year.

Sources within the Dhaka BRT Company Limited (Dhaka BRT) confirmed that the board has yet to approve the evaluation committee’s report for purchasing 137 diesel-run buses for the 20-kilometre corridor. The delay is attributed to ongoing investigations by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) into allegations surrounding the cancellation of the first tender.

The ACC, suspecting either political motivations or corruption, took over the investigation following complaints from the lowest bidder of the initial tender. All relevant documents were submitted, and hearings with stakeholders were conducted, reportedly in response to media coverage and formal complaints.

Zhongtong Bus Holding Company Ltd has continued to protest the cancellation of the first tender, which was initially floated on January 15, 2023. The board scrapped the tender in early 2024, after an evaluation revealed that the three lowest bids were either from the same company or affiliated entities.

The initial procurement plan deviated from the project’s original intention of deploying articulated or electric buses on the corridor linking Gazipur with Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

A second tender was issued on April 24, 2024, following a court ruling that dismissed a writ petition filed by the Chinese company. The Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU) had also previously rejected the company's complaint regarding the board’s decision to cancel the first tender. Although the contractor selection process under the new tender has been completed, the evaluation report's approval has been held up.

Officials noted that the delay also stems from the BRT project’s tenure officially ending in December 2024, with no formal extension granted yet.

“There is no major complication except that the ACC has yet to deliver its verdict. All documents have been submitted and hearings completed,” said a source close to the matter, requesting anonymity.

Another official added, “There is no point in approving the evaluation report if the project’s future is uncertain, especially when the original tenure has expired.”

Meanwhile, the Roads and Highways Department is working on the fourth revision of the BRT project proposal, seeking substantial increases in both cost and duration. Despite the fact that only 3 to 4 per cent of the construction work remains, the project—initiated 12 years ago—has been marred by poor planning and flawed design.

The interim government is reportedly keen to see the project through, despite its controversial background. Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor, Dr. Sheikh Moinuddin, who joined last month, has taken a particular interest in overseeing the BRT’s completion.

Originally undertaken as part of the Greater Dhaka Sustainable Urban Transport Project, the BRT's cost has ballooned to Tk 42.86 billion, more than double its initial budget of Tk 20.38 billion.​

 

[Saif]

TIB demands end to provision allowing legalisation of black money

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has urged the interim government to eliminate all direct and indirect provisions that allow for the legalisation of black or untaxed money through special ordinances. In a statement issued on Tuesday, TIB condemned the repeated use of such facilities, ca

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

TIB demands end to provision allowing legalisation of black money
bdnews24.com
Published :
May 21, 2025 00:15
Updated :
May 21, 2025 00:15

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has urged the interim government to eliminate all direct and indirect provisions that allow for the legalisation of black or untaxed money through special ordinances.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, TIB condemned the repeated use of such facilities, calling them unethical, unconstitutional, and discriminatory.

“In Bangladesh, provisions to legalise black money have been introduced 21 times,” the anti-corruption watchdog said.

“This repetitive facility discourages honest taxpayers, rewards corruption, and enables its spread.”

TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman noted that despite these repeated amnesty schemes, there has been no significant increase in government revenue.

“We expect the upcoming interim budget will abolish all such opportunities permanently, setting an example of integrity and reform,” he said. “We have conveyed this expectation to the finance advisor in writing and hope for a positive response.”

TIB welcomed the recent removal of the 15 percent flat tax provision that allowed undeclared income to be legalised, a change made following the fall of the Awami League government.

However, the organisation warned that several other “corruption-friendly, unconstitutional, and discriminatory” measures remain in place and should be scrapped without delay.​