[🇧🇩] The fate of big guns/beneficiaries of Awami League after the student revolution

[Saif]

ACC sues ex-minister Qamrul, MPs Henry, Shawkat

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Monday filed four cases against six people, including former food minister Qamrul Islam, former lawmakers Jannat Ara Henry and Shakwat Hasanur Rahman Rimon, on charges of amassing illegal wealth.

www.newagebd.net

ACC sues ex-minister Qamrul, MPs Henry, Shawkat
Staff Correspondent 24 December, 2024, 00:21

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Monday filed four cases against six people, including former food minister Qamrul Islam, former lawmakers Jannat Ara Henry and Shakwat Hasanur Rahman Rimon, on charges of amassing illegal wealth.

The commission also approved the filing of four separate cases against former state minister for disaster management and relief Mohibur Rahman, former Bangladesh Bank deputy governor Sitangshu Kumar Sur Chowdhury and his family members over allegations of corruption.

Besides, the Dhaka metropolitan senior special judge court imposed a travel ban on former Dhaka South City Corporation mayor and former lawmaker Sayeed Khokon and his family members over allegations of corruption.

The ACC filed a case against Qamrul, his son Tanzir Islam and daughter Segupta Islam with its integrated district office in Dhaka-1 on charges of amassing illegal wealth, said ACC director general (prevention) Aktar Hossain.

According to the case statement, Qamrul, Tanzir and Segupta amassed illegal wealth worth Tk 6.29 crore, Tk 1.46 crore and Tk 1.10 crore respectively.

Besides, the ACC filed two separate cases with its integrated district office in Pabna against former AL lawmaker from the Sirajganj-2 constituency Jannat Ara Henry and her husband Md Shamim Talukder on charges of amassing illegal wealth.

According to the cases’ statements, Henry amassed wealth worth Tk 57.13 crore and her husband Shamim amassed assets worth Tk 20.47 crore beyond known sources of income.

Apart from these, there are also allegations of suspicious transactions of Tk 3,893 crore in 49 bank accounts of the couple.

ACC deputy assistant secretary Subal Chakma filed a case with its integrated district office in Dhaka-1 against former lawmaker from Bogura-2 constituency Shakwat Hasanur Rahman Rimon on charges of amassing illegal wealth worth Tk 35.96 crore.

The ACC also approved the filing of three separate cases against former Bangladesh Bank deputy governor Sitangshu Kumar Sur Chowdhury, his wife Suparna Sur Chowdhury, and his daughter Nandita Sur Chowdhury, for not submitting their wealth statements to the commission.

The ACC gave the approval at a meeting of the commission held at its Segun Bagicha headquarters in the capital Dhaka, said ACC deputy director for public relations Aktarul Islam.

Earlier, the ACC had issued notices to the three graft suspects to submit their wealth statements to the commission, but they did not submit the reports, he said.

SK Sur Chowdhury has been under scrutiny by the ACC for his alleged links to Former NRB Global Bank managing director Prashanta Kumar Haldar, also known as PK Halder.

PK Halder, also the prime accused in several dozen cases of financial crimes in Bangladesh, was arrested in Ashoknagar, India on May 14, 2022 on charges of money laundering. But he recently got bail in the money laundering case.

Earlier, the ACC froze the bank accounts of SK Sur, his wife and his daughter as part of an inquiry into allegations of tax evasion against the three.

Later, in July 2022, the National Board of Revenue directed banks to freeze the bank accounts of SK Sur and his wife Suparna.

The ACC also approved the filing of a case against former state minister Mohibur Rahman over allegations of amassing Tk 3.92 crore beyond known sources of income.

Dhaka metropolitan senior special judge Md Ibrahim Miah imposed a travel ban on former DSCC mayor Sayeed Khokon, his wife Farhana Sayeed, mother Shahana Hanif, and brother Javed Ahmed over allegations of corruption.

The court issued the travel bans following a petition submitted by ACC deputy director Masudur Rahman seeking the ban.​

 

[Saif]

Travel ban imposed on ex-ACC commissioner Jahurul Haque

The Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered necessary steps to cancel passport and impose a travel ban on former Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Commissioner and former District Judge Jahurul Haque..A letter, signed by Deputy Secretary of the ministry’s Security Services Division Md Kamruzza

www.thedailystar.net

Travel ban imposed on ex-ACC commissioner Jahurul Haque

The Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered the cancellation of the passport of former Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) commissioner and former district judge Jahurul Haque and imposed a travel ban on him.

A letter, signed by Deputy Secretary of the ministry's Security Services Division Md Kamruzzaman, was issued in this regard on Tuesday.

The letter has been sent to the Department of Immigration and Passports and the Special Branch (SB) of the Bangladesh Police.

Sources at the home ministry also confirmed the issuance of the letter to The Daily Star yesterday.

According to the letter, the officials concerned are instructed to take the necessary steps to cancel Jahurul Haque's passport and ensure that he cannot leave the country.

Md Jahurul Haque joined the ACC as a commissioner on March 10, 2021. He resigned on October 29, 2023. On the same day, former ACC Chairman Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah and Commissioner Asia Khatun also resigned.​

 

[Saif]

21 heavyweights of AL regime face ACC probe

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday decided to conduct inquiries against two former state ministers Nasrul Hamid and Shahriar Alam, former Rajshahi city mayor Khairuzzaman Liton and...

www.newagebd.net

21 heavyweights of AL regime face ACC probe
Staff Correspondent 01 January, 2025, 00:37

Nasrul, Shahriar, RCC ex-mayor Liton, 8 ex-MPs, CAAB ex-chair Mafidur, ex-PM’s security adviser Tariq named

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday decided to conduct inquiries against two former state ministers Nasrul Hamid and Shahriar Alam, former Rajshahi city mayor Khairuzzaman Liton and 18 other influential leaders of the now ousted Awami League regime over allegations of corruption.

The accused include eight former lawmakers—Omar Faruk Chowdhury, Fazle Hossain Badsha, Ayen Uddin, Asaduzzaman Asad, Abdul Wadud Dara, Mansur Rahman, Enamul Haque and Abul Kalam Azad. Also gold businessmen Dilip Kumar Agarwala and Enamul Haque Dolon are facing graft allegations.

The commission also took a decision for inquiries against Tariq Ahmed Siddiqui, former military adviser to the now ousted prime minister, Sheikh Hasina; and Md Mafidur Rahman, former chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh.

The commission took the decision for the inquiries at a meeting, said its director general for prevention Aktar Hossain while briefing journalists at the commission headquarters.

The decision for an inquiry against former state minister for power and energy Nasrul Hamid came over allegations of corruption in the power sector through a syndicate, commission officials said.

Rajshahi city former mayor and former lawmaker Khairuzzaman Liton, who went into hiding after regime fall, face allegations of ‘illegally’ acquiring assets worth Tk 6,000 crore, said the commission director general.

He also said that the commission would conduct an inquiry against Dilip Kumar Agarwala, managing director of Diamond World Limited, and Enamul Haque Dolon, former president of Bangladesh Jewellers Association, over allegations of amassing huge illegal wealth through gold smuggling.

Tariq Ahmed Siddiqui, former military adviser to Sheikh Hasina; Mohibul Haque, former senior secretary; Janendranath Sarkar, former joint secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism; Md Mafidur Rahman, former chairman, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh; its former chief engineer Abdul Malek; superintendent engineer Habibur Rahman; and Mahbub Anam and Lutfullah Majed, owners of Aeroness International; will also be investigated over allegations of embezzling massive amounts of money over the past 15 years through various airport development projects.

The agency has also initiated probes against former state minister for foreign affairs Shahriar Alam, former lawmakers Omar Faruk Chowdhury, Fazle Hossain Badsha, Ayen Uddin, Asaduzzaman Asad, Abdul Wadud Dara, Mansur Rahman, Enamul Haque and Abul Kalam Azad over allegations of amassing illegal wealth.​

 

[Saif]

Court issues travel ban on NASSA Group Chairman Nazrul, family members

A Dhaka court has banned NASSA Group Chairman Nazrul Islam Mazumder, his wife, and children from travelling out of Bangladesh. Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Jakir Hossain Galib passed the order following a petition filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday, bdnews24.com report

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Court issues travel ban on NASSA Group Chairman Nazrul, family members
Published :
Jan 02, 2025 00:21
Updated :
Jan 02, 2025 00:23

A Dhaka court has banned NASSA Group Chairman Nazrul Islam Mazumder, his wife, and children from travelling out of Bangladesh.

Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Jakir Hossain Galib passed the order following a petition filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday, bdnews24.com reports.

ACC Court Inspector Amir Hossain said that the national anti-graft watchdog’s Deputy Director Md Salahuddin moved the court seeking a ban on their travel.

ACC lawyer Rezaul Karim presented the petition at the hearing.

According to the petition, a four-strong team has been formed to investigate the case, and submit a report on the allegations of “money laundering” and acquisition of “illegal wealth” against NASSA Group’s former chairman and others.

Reports revealed that Mazumder, his wife Nasrin Islam, daughter Anika Islam, and son Walid Ibne Islam were trying to leave the country, and their departure would have hampered the investigation.

After the Awami League government was toppled on August 5, 2024 - by a mass uprising, some entrepreneurs in the banking sector, including Awami League leaders, went into hiding.

Mazumder, who was arrested on October 1, 2024, was excluded from the board of directors of Exim Bank on August 29, 2024 after the interim government came into power. Later, he also lost his position at the Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB)

Mazumder’s departure from Exim Bank ended a 17-year leadership tenure.

A well-known figure in the banking sector, Mazumder had been the chairman of the bank since 2007. He was also appointed as the chairman of BAB in 2009.

He has been accused of soliciting donations from private banks for organising a football tournament during his tenure as BAB chairman.

Earlier, on August 25, 2024, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) had frozen Mazumder’s and Nasrin’s bank accounts, intensifying scrutiny of his financial dealings.

He is accused of extorting money from banks on several occasions, and changing the Bank Company Act to benefit entrepreneurs of the bank.​

 

[Saif]

No 'reconciliation' until Hasina, her 'blood-thirsty' party members tried: Press Secretary

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Sunday said there will not be any “reconciliation” until deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her “blood-thirsty” party members are tried for murders and corruption. “No amount of lobbying will help Hasina and

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

No 'reconciliation' until Hasina, her 'blood-thirsty' party members tried: Press Secretary
UNB
Published :
Jan 05, 2025 20:37
Updated :
Jan 05, 2025 21:05

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Sunday said there will not be any “reconciliation” until deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her “blood-thirsty” party members are tried for murders and corruption.

“No amount of lobbying will help Hasina and her brutal associates. The world has moved on. Her world has shrunken to a couple of small rooms in New Delhi,” Alam said, noting that exactly five months ago Hasina fled Bangladesh for India.

In a long Facebook post from his verified account, the Press Secretary said the more the AL's ordinary activists cling on to “Hasina's Sareer Anchol”, the bigger grave they will dig for the party.

He said they still have some hopes to return to the political arena. “But first they have to denounce Hasina for the massacres and Gum (enforced disappearances) and looting.”

Alam said some people talk about “truth and reconciliation” and they too believe in the power of reconciliation and healing.

“But can you do it with a party whose members are still in denial? Five months have passed and there is no apology, no remorse and no acknowledgement from Hasina, her Sheikh clan or her party members. Instead, they were spinning lies. They also spent millions to sell their lies and false and fabricated news to the Indian media,” said the Press Secretary.

Alam said the students and millions of July uprising protesters have thrown Hasina and her “Sheikh Clan” into the dustbin of history. “Now it is ordinary AL supporters turn to distance themselves from one of history's most corrupt and blood-thirsty dictators!!”

Alam said August 5 brought an end to her nearly 16 years long “brutal and corrupt directorship” and millions of people led by some of the “bravest students” held protests for weeks forcing the 77-year leader to quit power.

He said an Interim Government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus took over after she fled. “The IG has brought peace and stability in the country. Law and order situation has stabilised.”

Alam said a certain economic collapse and a state bankruptcy were averted. Exports grew at a hefty rate in the past five months. Imports made a massive comeback, highlighting growing domestic consumption.

He said a revamped and globally acceptable International Crimes Tribunal has been engaged to try Hasina and her blood-soaked associates.

“Scores of AL politicians with blood in their hands were arrested. Hundreds more are on the run. The IG has sent a note verbale to India for the repatriation of Hasina. We haven't heard anything from India officially yet,” he said.

“But we will be relentless in our efforts to bring her back to Bangladesh to face justice and accountability over the murders of some 1,500 students, workers and other people during the July uprising,” said the Press Secretary.

Alam said Hasina and her murderous associates will also be tried for other massacres and thousands of enforced disappearances, laundering of nearly 240 billion dollars, robberies of banks and extrajudicial murders of thousands of people.

The trial of Hasina, the AL politicians and officials and officers who were involved in murders and corruption are a key priority of the IG, Alam said.

“We have already banned the Chhatra League over charges of murders. Hasina continues to tell lies from her hideout. Her supporters are still suffering from delusions. One thing we can say for sure: we will pursue Hasina the way she pursued the killers of her family. It will be relentless. There won't be any slackening of our efforts,” he mentioned.​

 

[Saif]

Shamsul Haque Tuku sent to jail in extortion case

A court in Pabna on Monday rejected the bail plea of former deputy speaker and MP from Pabna-1, Shamsul Haque Tuku, in a case under the Speedy Trial Act related to extortion charges. Senior Judicial Magistrate Mostfijur Rahman issued the order on Monday, said Rashidul Islam, inspector of the Pabna

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Shamsul Haque Tuku sent to jail in extortion case
UNB
Published :
Jan 06, 2025 21:30
Updated :
Jan 06, 2025 21:30

Court rejects bail plea of Shamsul Haque Tuku in extortion case. Photo : UNB

A court in Pabna on Monday rejected the bail plea of former deputy speaker and MP from Pabna-1, Shamsul Haque Tuku, in a case under the Speedy Trial Act related to extortion charges.

Senior Judicial Magistrate Mostfijur Rahman issued the order on Monday, said Rashidul Islam, inspector of the Pabna court.

Tuku was presented in court under tight security, and his appearance was met with protests by agitating students from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

They threw shoes and eggs at his car while chanting slogans demanding his trial.

Mirza Mehedi Hasan, a businessman from Birsalikhar in Bera, filed a case in the Pabna court on November 6 under the Speedy Trial Act.

Mehedi Hasan alleged that Tuku, along with several associates, extorted money and seized his land and market on May 6, 2014.

Apart from Tuku, 11 people including his brother former municipal mayor Abdul Baten and Tuku’s son former municipal mayor Asif Shams Ranjan were accused in the case.

A chargesheet was submitted to the court on November 24 of last year.​

 

[Saif]

Passports of deposed Bangladesh PM Hasina, others revoked over July killings

The Department of Immigration and Passports has cancelled passports of 97 individuals, including deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, over their alleged involvement in killings during the...

www.newagebd.net

Passports of deposed Bangladesh PM Hasina, others revoked over July killings
Staff Correspondent 07 January, 2025, 20:16

Sheikh Hasina | File photo

The Department of Immigration and Passports has cancelled passports of 97 individuals, including deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, over their alleged involvement in killings during the July-August mass uprising and enforced disappearances.

Chief adviser’s deputy press secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder came up with the information at a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Tuesday evening.

He said that passports of 75 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, were cancelled by the passport department for their alleged involvement in the killings during the student-led mass uprising.

The passport office also cancelled passports of 22 individuals for their alleged involvement in enforced disappearances during the tenure of the now ousted Awami League regime, he added.

When asked whether India had been informed about the cancellation of Sheikh Hasina’s passport, Azad Majumder said, ‘The Indian government also knows that her passport has been cancelled and they said that they had issued her a travel document.’

Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime minister on August 5 amid a student-led mass uprising and fled to India and has been staying there since.

The professor Muhammad Yunus-led interim government formed on August 8 is listing those who were martyred during the mass uprising. The government has already published the names of 826 martyrs in the first phase.

Besides, the International Crimes Tribunal is currently investigating the cases filed against Sheikh Hasina and others on charges of genocide during the uprising.

The ICT has also issued a warrant for Sheikh Hasina’s arrest in connection with the cases filed by the victims’ families with the ICT on charges of genocide.

Earlier in August, the immigration department initiated a move to revoke the official passports of Sheikh Hasina, her former cabinet colleagues, and former members of parliament, as both her cabinet and the 12th parliament were dissolved.

Besides, the issue of enforced disappearance of many people in the country during the Awami League regime in the past 15 years came to the fore after the regime’s fall.

The interim government formed a commission of inquiry into enforced disappearances that allegedly happened from January 6, 2009 to August 5, 2024.

The commission submitted an interim report to the government in mid-December that revealed the brutal torture of the victims of the enforced disappearance by the then state forces.

The draft report said that many people were forcibly taken away and held in secret detention centres for periods ranging from 48 hours to years.

In some cases, the victims of disappearance were shot dead with their bodies tied to cement bags being sunk in river or simply left on the railway tracks to be mutilated.

The commission so far received 1,676 complaints of enforced disappearance and of the complaints it has so far reviewed 758.

Among the 758 complaints, 73 per cent of the victims have returned, but the remaining 27 per cent (at least 204) are still missing.

Earlier on December 15 last year, the home ministry ordered the immigration and passports department to withdraw passports of 20 former army and police officials and prevent them from travelling abroad over their involvement in enforced disappearances.

The ministry came up with the move against the 20 people following the request of the commission of inquiry into enforced disappearance.

The 20 individuals are—former inspectors general of police Benazir Ahmed and Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, sacked Major General Ziaul Ahsan, former additional inspector general of police and chief of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Md Monirul Islam, former detective branch of police chief Mohammad Harun-Or-Rahid, former additional IGP Md Mukhlesur Rahman, Colonel Tofail Mustafa Sarwar, former Lieutenant Colonel Miftah Uddin Ahmed, former intelligence wing director of Rapid Action Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Md Mahbub Alam, former additional DIGs Khandaker Lutful Kabir and Md Shahabuddin Khan, former Lieutenant Colonel Md Kamrul Hasan, former director of intelligence at RAB Lieutenant Colonel Md Sarwar-bin-Qasem, former CTTC chief and additional commissioner of police Md Asaduzzaman, additional commissioner of police Sheikh Muhammad Maroof Hasan, former DB deputy commissioner Moshiur Rahman, former additional deputy commissioner of CTTC Md Touhidul Islam, former three directors of Counter Terrorism and Intelligence Bureau at Directorate General of Forces Intelligence retired Brigadier General Abu Taher Mohammad Ibrahim, retired Brigadier General Mohammad Towhidul Islam and brigadier general Md Mahbubur Rahman Siddique.

Some of the officers on the list, including Zaiul Ahsan, Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, and Moshiur Rahman, have already been arrested in connection with cases filed over murders during the student-led mass uprising, while some others, including Benazir Ahmed, left the country.​

 

[Saif]

Case filed against Hasina, 343 other members of 12th parliament

A case of attempted murder has been filed against 344 members of the 12th parliament, including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Md Aladul Islam, also known as Alauddin, a 28-year-old garment worker who was shot on August 5 in Ashulia, Savar, filed the case with the court of Dhaka Senior Judic

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Case filed against Hasina, 343 other members of 12th parliament
Published :
Jan 08, 2025 22:29
Updated :
Jan 08, 2025 23:35

A case of attempted murder has been filed against 344 members of the 12th parliament, including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Md Aladul Islam, also known as Alauddin, a 28-year-old garment worker who was shot on August 5 in Ashulia, Savar, filed the case with the court of Dhaka Senior Judicial Magistrate Abdullah Mohammad Saleh on January 6, according to the complainant's lawyer, Advocate Masud Miah.

"The court ordered the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to investigate whether any other cases have already been filed in this regard and submit a report by January 27," said Mahmudul Hasan Rana, another counsel for the plaintiff.

Other prominent accused in the case include Salman F Rahman, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Obaidul Quader, Anisul Huq, Hasan Mahmud, Qamrul Islam, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, GM Qader, Mojibul Haque Chunnu, ABM Ruhul Amin Hawlader, and Anisul Islam Mahmud.

According to the case documents, Alauddin was employed at a garment factory in Ashulia and joined an anti-discrimination student rally in the area on August 5. At around 2:00 pm, Awami League supporters allegedly attacked the rally, during which Alauddin was shot in his right hand.​