[🇧🇩] Corruption Watch

[Saif]

ACC summons ex-Islami Bank chair, 11 others over alleged laundering of $1b by S Alam

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Monday summoned Islami Bank Bangladesh’s 12 former and servicing officials, including its former chairman Ahsanul Alam, to appear at the commission for interrogation in connection with...

www.newagebd.net

ACC summons ex-Islami Bank chair, 11 others over alleged laundering of $1b by S Alam
Staff Correspondent 17 February, 2025, 21:52

Collected photo

Ex-minister Mujibul, wife sued over illegal wealth

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Monday summoned Islami Bank Bangladesh’s 12 former and servicing officials, including its former chairman Ahsanul Alam, to appear at the commission for interrogation in connection with the alleged laundering of $1 billion abroad by S Alam Group chairman Mohammad Saiful Alam and his family members.

The anti-corruption agency on the day also filed two separate cases against former railway minister Mujibul Haque and his wife Hanufa Akter Rikita on charges of amassing illegal wealth worth Tk 10.67 crore.

The ACC sent a letter signed by its deputy director Abu Sayeed to the managing director of Islami Bank, asking the bank’s 12 former and serving officials to appear at the commission on February 26 and 27, said ACC officials.

According to the letter, the ACC is conducting inquiry over an allegation of laundering $1 billion to Singapore, British Virginia island, Cyprus and other countries by S Alam Group chairman Mohammad Saiful Alam and his family members.

The ACC asked Islami Bank’s former chairman Ahsanul Alam, former vice-president Dilruba Hayat, senior vice-president Nazmul Huda Siraji, FAVP Md Abu Hanif, senior principal officer Shariful Islam and executive committee member Abu Sayeed Mohammad Kashem to appear at the ACC headquarters in the capital Dhaka on February 26.

The commission asked executive committee member Jamal Mostafa Chowdhury, board director Md Sarwar Hossain, executive vice-president Shamsuddoha, EVP Mir Rahmatullah, SEVP Abu Sayed Md Idris and deputy managing director Kazi Md Rezaul Karim to appear at the commission on February 27 for interrogation over the allegation.

ACC spokesperson and its director general Md Aktar Hossain said that the ACC filed the two cases against Mujibul and his wife Hanufa with its integrated district office in Dhaka-1.

According to the cases, former minister Mujibul allegedly misused his power to acquire assets worth Tk 7.39 crore beyond known sources of income.

Another case was filed against Mujibul’s wife Hanufa on charges of amassing illegal wealth worth Tk 3.28 crore.

After the fall of the Awami League government amid a student-led mass uprising on August 5, 2024, the ACC had started an inquiry into corruption allegations against Mujibul.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh's corruption rank is unsurprising

The common people in Bangladesh cannot help feeling unease at the yearly 'sobriquet' of one of the top corrupt countries in the world that hangs around its neck like the Ancient Mariner's dead albatross, courtesy of the Berlin-based Transparent International (TI). Its Bangladesh chapter releases th

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangladesh's corruption rank is unsurprising
Nilratan Halder
Published :
Feb 13, 2025 23:44
Updated :
Feb 13, 2025 23:44

The common people in Bangladesh cannot help feeling unease at the yearly 'sobriquet' of one of the top corrupt countries in the world that hangs around its neck like the Ancient Mariner's dead albatross, courtesy of the Berlin-based Transparent International (TI). Its Bangladesh chapter releases the perceived extent of corruption in the public sector around this time each year. Lest there may be complaint of biasness against the country, data from eight international surveys, not from any national research organisations including the TIB, were taken into reckoning for preparation of the Bangladesh's corruption ranking.

Then, why should the majority of ordinary people feel slighted by the TI-generated Corruption Perception Index (CPI)? It is because they are not involved in corruption. Well, a vey minuscule portion of them may have to part with some speed money because of their unfamiliarity with the due procedures and the middlemen or agents or the clerks or petty officers in public offices, who do the job in their favour or serve them, compel them to pay the bribe money. They are almost taken a hostage and made to cough up the speed money for services to be rendered free of cost. From the legal point view, they may be a party to the crime but they are made malleable only under duress.

This is evidence enough that the majority of the people here are not corrupt and yet they have to put up with this demeaning branding of a nation as a whole. It is the so-called educated, the privileged, the influential and the powerful who turn the administrative system into a breeding ground of corruption. If the top political leadership and the bureaucracy could stay clean and set an example of integrity and professionalism and strictly enforce a regime of honesty and zero tolerance to irregularities and corruption in functioning of public services, this would have been the order of the day down the rank. A fish rots from the head.

There is nothing to be surprised at the score of 23 on a 0-100 scale with lowest score denoting the most corrupt and the highest score the least corrupt among the 188 countries put under the TI scanner. Even its lowest score of 23, one point lower than that of 2023 is hardly shocking because the level of corruption never registered a significant decrease since the country came under the TI coverage in 2001. It held the lowest position from the inaugural year until 2005. Over the past decade, its corruption ranking did not show any significant improvement with its scores hovering in between 24-26. Only in 2013 and 2017, did the score rise to 27 and 28 respectively. But this has ever remained much lower than the global average. For example, this year the country's score is far lower than the global average of 43. Although 122 countries have this dubious distinction, it is small consolation for Bangladesh. More so, because in the post-uprising six months, there seems to be no positive reflection of the interim government's rule.

What is particularly disgraceful is that the country has its corruption ranking just a notch above that of Afghanistan in the South Asian region. It is even mortifying that Bangladesh fares much worse in the prevalence of corruption compared to the average of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa. In all, 47 countries including Bangladesh registered their lowest scores in the past 13 years. But neighbouring Bhutan, a landlocked and resource-poor country, has improved its ranking by four points while its big neighbours including India have recorded a drop of their points with Sri Lanka dropping six.

However, Sri Lanka has demonstrated enough resilience to overcome its economic malaise and may be set on course of improving its corruption track records this year. Can Bangladesh do so? The reform commissions formed earlier have recommended ways out but without implementation some of the vital reforms, the country hardly stands any chance of reducing corruption and doing justice to the discrimination-free society envisaged by the architects of the July-August uprising.

The problem is with consumerism, an offshoot of free market economy, that stokes human avarice to limitless level. A Benazir, the ex-IGP and a Motiur, an official of the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC), are the examples of how people in responsible places stooped very low to accumulate wealth beyond one's means and outside of one's legitimate income. When a regime of exploiting the public money of this order is created under the patronage of the people in power, the entire system rots like the proverbial fish.

Such a development has its more pronounced adverse impacts on the lower strata of society. Wealth getting concentrated to a few hands because of the oligarchic and kleptocratic indulgence, the majority are deprived of their minimum requirements for living a decent human life. When social and economic orders are thus artificially controlled and distorted, a nation experiences its malgrowth.

In this connection, the TIB chief's observation that the countries ranked at the top echelon also encourages corruption in countries like Bangladesh by welcoming unclean funds laundered from those is to the point. True, the source country is mainly responsible but the clean ones become a party to the corruption not by default but by turning a blind eye to the crime. Shouldn't this international double standard also change? Vulnerable and resource-constraint countries have numerous problems and the countries with enviable home records on corruption tend to drain out money in a more subtle way than the colonial masters once employed. An international discourse on the issue is overdue.​

 

[Saif]

Attempt to appoint Parvez to ACC deeply concerning: TIB

TIB said the move raises serious concerns about whether the government is trying to shield corruption and render the ACC ineffective

www.thedailystar.net

Attempt to appoint Parvez to ACC deeply concerning: TIB
Condemns govt for decision

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed deep concern over the government's attempt to appoint Amin Al Parvez -- a government official accused in a corruption case related to land acquisition in Cox's Bazar -- as a director of the Anti-Corruption Commission.

In a press release issued today, TIB said the move raises serious concerns about whether the government is trying to shield corruption and render the ACC ineffective.

According to media reports, a case was filed against Parvez in 2020 for embezzling Tk 22.21 crore from the Police Bureau of Investigation building construction and land acquisition project in Cox's Bazar.

At the time, he was serving as the additional deputy commissioner (education and ICT) in the Cox's Bazar District Administration.

An ACC report later revealed that he had unlawfully benefitted himself and others through fraud and abuse of power.

Calling the appointment attempt unacceptable, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said, "On what grounds was an officer accused of corruption appointed to the ACC on deputation? This decision comes at a time when the ACC Reform Commission has explicitly recommended identifying corrupt officials within the ACC, dismissing them, and prosecuting them."

"This suggests a conspiracy within the administration to protect corruption. The government's decision to appoint an accused officer to the ACC is not only unacceptable but deeply alarming," he also said.

"We want to commend the ACC's decision to cancel the appointment of the accused officer. However, we urge the commission to take this incident as a lesson and ensure vigilance in future appointments and promotions, particularly those made on deputation, to prevent undue influence," he added.

"At the same time, the government must refrain from undermining ACC reformation goals through such untoward actions. The interim government's duty is to set a precedent for accountability, not to tarnish its own credibility by shielding corruption or rewarding those implicated in it. Otherwise, how is this any different from the kleptocracy seen under authoritarian rule?"​

 

[Saif]

2 ex-governors, 53 other BB officials under ACC scanner

The Anti-Corruption Commission has launched probes into corruption allegations against Bangladesh Bank’s 25 former and serving officials, including former governor Abdur Rouf Talukder.

www.newagebd.net

2 ex-governors, 53 other BB officials under ACC scanner
Solamain Salman 18 February, 2025, 23:53

New Age file photo

The Anti-Corruption Commission has launched probes into corruption allegations against Bangladesh Bank’s 25 former and serving officials, including former governor Abdur Rouf Talukder.

The officials are facing various allegations, including amassing illegal wealth, money laundering and embezzlement.

The anti-graft agency is also examining corruption allegations against 29 other BB former and serving officials, including ex-governor Atiur Rahman.

Regarding the 29 former and serving officials, the ACC is scrutinising safe deposit lockers belonging to 28 officials on suspicion of keeping undisclosed money and is examining Atiur’s alleged link to the $101-million Bangladesh Bank reserve heist in 2016, said ACC officials.

The ACC has initiated an inquiry into allegations of corruption, embezzlement of money from the banking sector and money laundering against Rouf and the commission has started another probe into allegations of irregularities at the central bank and hiding information about the defaulted loan of Tk 7,853 crore of Social Islami Bank against Rouf.

The ACC is conducting an inquiry into allegation of embezzling Tk 54 lakh by former deputy governor Khorshed Alam while he was posted at the regional office in Rangpur and it is also probing former deputy governor Kazi Saidur Rahman’s alleged involvement in the embezzlement of Tk 700 crore.

BB deputy governor Nurun Nahar is facing an inquiry over allegations of corruption, abuse of power, recruitment business, money laundering and amassing illegal wealth against her. Another probe has also been initiated against Nurun Nahar and deputy governor Habibur Rahman over allegations of embezzling money.

The ACC is also conducting an inquiry into allegations of amassing illegal wealth and money laundering against former BB deputy governor Sitanshu Kumar Sur Chowdhury.

As part of the probe, an ACC team recovered savings certificates and insurance papers worth Tk 4.45 crore and Tk 16.25 lakh in cash from Sur’s residence in Dhaka.

The ACC also recovered 1 kilogram of gold, $1,69,300, €55,000 and a fixed deposit receipt of Tk 70 lakh from a BB safe deposit locker belonging to Sur on January 26.

Amiruzzaman Mia, assistant director of the Bangladesh Bank Training Academy, is facing an ACC inquiry over allegations of amassing illegal wealth, including a luxurious house and three plots in Dhaka.

The ACC is also conducting inquiries into graft allegations against former Bangladesh Bank adviser Abu Farah Md Nasser, former Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit chief Masud Biswas, former executive director SM Moniruzzaman, former executive director Shah Alam, general manager Zakir Hossain, deputy general manager Imam Sayeed, joint directors Md Sarwar Hossain, Sunirban Barua, Jubair Hossain, Anik Talukder, Rubel Chowdhury and Lelin Azad Palash, additional directors Md Abdur Rouf, Md Wadud and Md Manjur Hossain Khan, former deputy director Mofazzal Hossain, former assistant director (cash) Anwar Hossain and former DGM Tarun Kanti Ghosh.

After the recovery of valuables from Sur’s safe deposit locker at the Bangladesh Bank, the ACC conducted another drive at the central bank recently, but it found that no safe deposit lockers are registered under the names of 25 other officials.

However, the ACC found safe deposit lockers in the names of 28 officials of the BB at the central bank and the commission will conduct a drive to scrutinise the lockers soon on suspicion of keeping undisclosed assets in the lockers by the officials, said an ACC director.

The 28 officials are executive directors Md Shahidul Islam, Ahmed Jamal, Ashish Kumar Dasgupta, Mohammad Masum Kamal Bhuiyan, Subhankar Saha and Ashish Kumar Dasgupta, directors Md Rajib Ali, Lutfe Ara Begum, Pradeep Ranjan Debnath, Wahida Nasrin, Moni Shankar Kundu, Ariat Hossain Khan and Mizanur Rahman Akand, general managers Md Sazzat Hossain Khan, Md Kausar Matin and Md Akkas Uddin, deputy general managers Mahmud Salauddin Naser, Md Enamul Karim Khan, Ishtekamal Hossain, Mustafa Azad Kamal, Dilip Kumar Dutta, AKM Kamruzzaman, Golam Mustafa and Shah Md Mainuddin, additional directors Nasima Khatun and Alauddin Al Azad, BFIU additional director Kazi Monir Uddin, and deputy manager Kalyani Saha.

On February 2, the ACC sent a letter to the Bangladesh Bank governor, requesting measures to prevent unauthorised access to these lockers. Since then, the central bank’s Motijheel headquarters has restricted locker access.

ACC director general Md Aktar Hossain said that the ACC had already filed separate cases against former BB deputy governor Sitanshu Kumar Sur Chowdhury and his family members and BFIU ex-chief Masud Biswas on graft charges.

The commission is also conducting inquiries into graft allegations against a number of former and serving officials of the central bank, he added.​

 

[Saif]

Public servants' wealth statement: What next?

The deadline for public servants to submit their wealth statements ended last Saturday. Last October, the interim government led by Dr. Yunus ordered public servants to declare their assets, presenting the move as a means to curb corruption and promote accountability. On the surface, it appears to

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Public servants' wealth statement: What next?
SYED MUHAMMED SHOWAIB
Published :
Feb 19, 2025 22:08
Updated :
Feb 19, 2025 22:08

The deadline for public servants to submit their wealth statements ended last Saturday. Last October, the interim government led by Dr. Yunus ordered public servants to declare their assets, presenting the move as a means to curb corruption and promote accountability. On the surface, it appears to be a bold step to identify civil servants who have abused their positions to accumulate wealth beyond their means. This was a cause for hope for average citizen as well. They are well aware of corruption in many government offices and weary of witnessing lavish lifestyles of officials whose salaries are paid with taxpayers' money. Display of wealth by some public servants with luxury cars, opulent homes and million-taka goat purchase fuelled the perception that public service is often a path to personal enrichment.

However, while the idea of holding public servants accountable for their wealth is appealing, the question remains: can such an initiative realistically achieve its goal, or will it simply be another hollow ritual? History offers little reassurance about its prospect for success. During the 2008 caretaker government similar attempt at wealth declaration was made which yielded no tangible results. Likewise, before each national election, numerous incumbent party candidates routinely submit their wealth statements, often revealing exponential increases in assets over short periods. Yet it rarely leads to any meaningful scrutiny or consequences. The problem is not new, nor is the solution untested. The system, it seems, is not designed to work.

Just look at the logistical challenges. Over 1.5 million government employees manually submitted their wealth statements by February 15. Who will scrutinize these millions of pages? How many person-hours will be required for such a manual check? The most likely scenario is that these forms will be passed from desk to desk, eventually ending up in some forgotten archive.

The design of the wealth statement form itself is also problematic. The forms require government employees to list assets at their acquisition values, which opens door for manipulation. Just as in income tax returns, individuals can easily understate the actual cost or claim assets were acquired as gifts. A crucial improvement would have been to include a column for the approximate current market value of assets to allow for a more realistic assessment. If such a measure had been incorporated, authorities could have established a threshold for closer scrutiny, selecting wealth statements that exceed a certain net worth for further verification. Unfortunately, this was not done.

The government has yet to outline its plan for processing the collected statements. In this digital age, the manual submission of forms seems remarkably antiquated. Had the information been collected through a digital platform, analyzing and verifying wealth statements would have been much easier. Since that opportunity has been missed, the only viable alternative is to digitize the data now. While a cumbersome process, it's the only way forward if the government is serious about scrutinizing these declarations.

Of course, some employees will not provide an accurate account of their wealth simply because they cannot justify their sources of income. But this underscores the need for robust investigative mechanisms to uncover discrepancies and hold wrongdoers accountable.

Government employees are citizens of the people's republic, and while large percentage of them are not corrupt, the system they operate within enables corruption. The root of the problem lies in the flawed ecosystem - from hiring and transfers to promotions and procurements - that allows corruption to flourish unchecked. Until these underlying issues are addressed, even punishing a few corrupt public servants would do little to stem corruption. As the saying goes, you cannot destroy a culture by destroying some of its adherents.

The wealth declaration exercise, in its current form, risks becoming nothing more than a symbolic gesture unless authorities digitize those disclosures into centralized database and act on it. Simultaneously, the government must also mend its broken bureaucratic system that perpetuates corruption. Only then will asset disclosures be effective and public servants truly accountable to the people they serve.​

 

[RogerJat]

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