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

[Saif]

ACC prosecutes ex-MPs Nixon, Anwarul over illegal assets

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Thursday filed four separate cases against former member of parliament Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury Nixon, his wife, former MP Anwarul Ashraf Khan and his wife...

www.newagebd.net

ACC prosecutes ex-MPs Nixon, Anwarul over illegal assets
Staff Correspondent 10 January, 2025, 00:20

Travel ban on ex-minister Mujibul, Dhaka Regency Hotel chair Musleh Uddin issued

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Thursday filed four separate cases against former member of parliament Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury Nixon, his wife, former MP Anwarul Ashraf Khan and his wife on charges of amassing illegal wealth.

The Dhaka special judges court imposed international travel bans on former railways minister Mujibul Haque and Dhaka Regency Hotel chairman Musleh Uddin Ahmed and his wife over allegations of corruption.

The ACC filed two separate cases with its integrated district office in Dhaka against former independent lawmaker from the Faridpur-4 constituency Nixon and his wife Tarin Hossain on charges of amassing illegal wealth worth Tk 19.29 crore.

Apart from this, the ACC also found suspicious transactions of Tk 3,162 crore in the bank accounts of the couple, said ACC director general (prevention) Md Akhtar Hossain while briefing reporters at the commission’s headquarters in Dhaka.

According to the cases, Nixon, while serving as a lawmaker, had abused his power and amassed assets worth Tk 11.23 crore through various irregularities and corruption.

During an inquiry, the ACC also found suspicious transactions of Tk 1,402 crore in his 55 bank accounts, according to the case.

Besides, Tarin amassed assets worth Tk 8.05 crore with the help of her husband Nixon beyond known sources of income.

At the same time, Tarin made a total of Tk 1,760 crore in unusual transactions in her 17 bank accounts.

The ACC filed two cases against former Awami League lawmaker from the Narsingdi-2 constituency Anwarul and his wife Afroza Sultana on charges of amassing illegal wealth worth Tk 15.81 crore.

According to the cases, Anwarul amassed wealth worth Tk 11.82 crore beyond known sources of income while the ACC also found suspicious transactions of Tk 441.16 crore in his bank accounts.

Afroza amassed illegal wealth worth Tk 3.98 crore with the help of her husband Anwarul, said the case document.

Besides, Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain Galib issued a travel ban on former Cumilla-11 constituency lawmaker and minister Mujibul following an application by the ACC deputy director Md Masudur Rahman.

According to the application, Mujibul is accused of amassing wealth beyond his known sources of income through irregularities and corruption, including tender manipulation, recruitment malpractice, and embezzlement of funds from various railway development projects.

The same court also imposed a travel ban on Regency Hotel and Resort chairman Musleh Uddin Ahmed and his wife Jebunnesa following an ACC petition.

ACC deputy director Meftahul Zannat in the petition stated that they were conducting an inquiry into allegations of accumulating illegal assets by Musleh Uddin and Jebunnesa.

Musleh Uddin, with his family members, is trying to leave the country secretly, Meftahul said, adding that if he left the country, it would pose difficulties in getting important documents related to the allegations and hinder the overall probe.​

 

[Saif]

Tarique Ahmed Siddique’s wife, daughter denied Malta passport on corruption fears: Financial Times

Deposed Bangladesh Prime Minister’s security adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique’s wife Shaheeh Siddique was denied access to a Maltese citizenship scheme twice, says a report of British media outlet Financial Times

en.prothomalo.com

Tarique Ahmed Siddique’s wife, daughter denied Malta passport on corruption fears: Financial Times
Prothom Alo English Desk
Updated: 10 Jan 2025, 21: 49

Tarique Ahmed SiddiqueFile photo

Deposed Bangladesh Prime Minister’s security adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique’s wife Shaheeh Siddique was denied access to a Maltese citizenship scheme twice, says a report of British media outlet Financial Times.

The couple’s daughter Bushra Siddique was also denied the passport once.

Financial Times published the report on its website Friday morning (Bangladesh time) quoting some leaked documents.

According to those documents, Shaheeh Siddique and Bushra Siddique were denied the passport because they had been accused in media reports of “money laundering, corruption, fraud & bribery”.

The FT report says, Shaheen Siddique, the aunt of UK anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq, was turned away in 2013 by Henley & Partners, which then had exclusive rights to administer Malta’s citizenship-by-investment programme.

The decision refers to allegations from 2012 that a company called Prochhaya, chaired by Shaheen, seized valuable land in Dhaka. Shaheen listed her role at Prochhaya in her 2013 passport application.

Tarique, who was Sheikh Hasina’s military adviser from 2009 until the fall of the government in August last year, used the country’s security forces to occupy the land for Prochhaya, critics of Sheikh Hasina’s government had claimed.

The company in 2016 sold the land.

Shaheen applied for the Malta passport in 2013 and jointly with her daughter Bushra, first cousin of Tulip Siddique, in 2015.

Bushra was a director of Prochhaya, says the FT report, quoting a 2011 filing.

Quoting the documents for the joint application in March 2015, Financial Times report states that Maltese citizenship would cost €650,000 for Shaheen and €25,000 for Bushra; in addition Henley would take a €70,000 fee.

With that application, Shaheen provided a statement from a dollar-denominated bank account in Kuala Lumpur showing a balance of $2,760,409 as proof of funds. The cash had been deposited over the previous two months in 11 transactions. The origin is not specified in the document.

Speaking about this to the FT, Transparency International Bangladesh executive director Iftekharuzzaman said that currency rules in Bangladesh prevent people from taking more than $12,000 out of the country in a calendar year.

Bushra, who was studying in London on a student visa, gave her address at the time as a second-floor flat in the grand Gothic building that towers above St Pancras station in central London.

This property was a few minutes walk from her cousin Tulip’s King’s Cross flat, which Tulip was given by a British Bangladeshi businessman for free in 2004, a previous report of Financial Times said.​

 

[Saif]

Former BB deputy governor SK Sur arrested

He was arrested from the capital’s Segunbagicha area this afternoon, and will be produced before the court soon.

en.prothomalo.com

Former BB deputy governor SK Sur arrested
Staff Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 14 Jan 2025, 17: 53

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested Sitangshu Kumar Chowdhury alias SK Sur, a former deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank, in connection with a corruption case.

ACC deputy director Aktarul Islam confirmed the information to Prothom Alo, saying he was arrested from the capital’s Segunbagicha area this afternoon, and will be produced before the court soon.

The ACC filed a case against SK Sur on 23 December, accusing him of failing to respond to a notice that sought his asset statement. He has now been arrested under the case.

Earlier, the ACC had launched an investigation in 2022 after SK Sur appeared to be involved in the notorious financial scam involving PK Halder. The commission also summoned him in March of the year.

SK Sur retired as the deputy governor in January, 2018. He, while serving in the central bank, allegedly facilitated and benefited from the loan scam carried out by PK Halder, former managing director of NRB Global Bank.​

 

[Saif]

Eng Mosharraf shown arrested in 8 cases in Ctg

Mosharraf Hossain, former minister for Housing and Public Works Ministry, was sent to jail today after being shown arrested in connection with eight separate cases filed in Chattogram

www.thedailystar.net

Eng Mosharraf shown arrested in 8 cases in Ctg

Mosharraf Hossain

Mosharraf Hossain, former minister for Housing and Public Works Ministry, was sent to jail today after being shown arrested in connection with eight separate cases filed in Chattogram.

Judges of three judicial magistrate courts in Chattogram showed Mosharraf arrested in the cases after police filed applications for his arrest, said Inspector Habibur Rahman of Chattogram District Police (Prosecution).

Earlier, the Awami League praesidium member was produced before the courts amid tight security for hearings.

The hearing of five cases took place in the court of Senior Judicial Magistrate Mahmudul Haque Sunny, while the hearings of two other cases were conducted in the court of Senior Judicial Magistrate Fardin Mustaqim Tasin.

The lawyers for Engineer Mosharraf pleaded for bail in the cases. However, the courts sent the former minister to jail rejecting the bail pleas.

Detectives earlier arrested Mosharraf in Dhaka's Bashundhara Residential Area in connection with a case filed over the death of BNP activist Mokbul on October 28 the last year.​

 

[Saif]

৬৬৫ কোটি টাকার সন্দেহজনক লেনদেন, আনিসুল হকের আয়কর নথি জব্দের আদেশ

গত ১৩ আগস্ট ঢাকার সদরঘাট থেকে আনিসুলকে গ্রেপ্তার করা হয়।

bangla.thedailystar.net

৬৬৫ কোটি টাকার সন্দেহজনক লেনদেন, আনিসুল হকের আয়কর নথি জব্দের আদেশ

আইনমন্ত্রী আনিসুল হক | স্টার ফাইল ছবি

জ্ঞাত আয় বহির্ভূত সম্পদ অর্জনের অভিযোগে করা মামলায় সাবেক আইনমন্ত্রী আনিসুল হকের আয়কর নথি জব্দের নির্দেশ দিয়েছেন আদালত।

মামলার তদন্ত কর্মকর্তা, দুদকের উপ-পরিচালক জাহাঙ্গীর আলমের আবেদনের পরিপ্রেক্ষিতে ঢাকা মহানগর সিনিয়র স্পেশাল জজ আদালতের বিচারক জাকির হোসেন আজ মঙ্গলবার এ আদেশ দেন।

আবেদনে দুদক কর্মকর্তা বলেন, আনিসুল হক নিজের ও তার স্বার্থ সংশ্লিষ্টদের নামে থাকা ২৯টি ব্যাংক অ্যাকাউন্টে ৩৪৯ কোটি ১৫ লাখ ২১ হাজার ৫৮২ টাকা জমা করেছেন। এ ছাড়া এসব অ্যাকাউন্ট থেকে ৩১৬ কোটি ৪৮ লাখ ৮১ হাজার ৬০৮ টাকা উত্তোলন করা হয়েছে। অর্থাৎ ৬৬৫ কোটি ৬৪ লাখ তিন হাজার ১৯০ টাকার সন্দেহজনক লেনদেন করেছেন তিনি।

তদন্ত কর্মকর্তা উল্লেখ করেন, সাবেক এই আইনমন্ত্রী দুর্নীতি ও ঘুষের মাধ্যমে এই অর্থ অর্জন করেছিলেন। তাই মামলার সুষ্ঠু তদন্তের স্বার্থে আয়কর নথি জব্দ করা প্রয়োজন।

এর আগে গত ১ জানুয়ারি ঢাকার সমন্বিত জেলা কার্যালয়ে আনিসুল হকের বিরুদ্ধে মামলা করে দুদক।

গত ১৩ আগস্ট ঢাকার সদরঘাট থেকে আনিসুলকে গ্রেপ্তার করা হয়।

পরদিন ১৬ জুলাই রাজধানীর নিউমার্কেট এলাকায় দোকান কর্মচারী শাহজাহান আলীর (২৪) মৃত্যুর ঘটনায় নিউমার্কেট থানায় দায়ের করা মামলায় তাকে ১০ দিনের রিমান্ডে নেওয়া হয়।​

 

[Saif]

ACC sues Ziaul Ahsan, wife for illegal wealth

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Thursday filed two cases against dismissed Major General Ziaul Ahsan and his wife Nusrat Jahan on charges of amassing illegal wealth, money laundering, and abuse of power.

www.newagebd.net

ACC sues Ziaul Ahsan, wife for illegal wealth
Staff Correspondent 24 January, 2025, 00:42

Ziaul Ahsan | File photo

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Thursday filed two cases against dismissed Major General Ziaul Ahsan and his wife Nusrat Jahan on charges of amassing illegal wealth, money laundering, and abuse of power.

ACC deputy director Md Salauddin filed the cases against Zia and his wife with its integrated district office in Dhaka-1, said ACC director general (prevention) Md Aktar Hossain.

According to the ACC findings, Ziaul Ahsan amassed assets worth Tk 22.27 crore that are inconsistent with his known sources of income between 2009 and 2024.

He also deposited $55,000 in his bank accounts violating the permitted limit under the Guidelines on Foreign Exchange Transactions-2018.

Ziaul Ahsan made suspicious transactions amounting to Tk 120 crore in his eight bank accounts, according to the findings.

It shows that Zia’s wife Nusrat Jahan accumulated assets worth Tk 18.59 crore beyond known sources of income and engaged in unusual transactions of Tk 222.50 crore in her four bank accounts.

The probe revealed that Ziaul Ahsan and Nusrat Jahan laundered a vast amount of money to international banks, including Tk 20 crore (6 million dirhams) to First Abu Dhabi Bank in the UAE, Tk 75 crore (23 million dirhams) to Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank in the UAE, Tk 75 crore (7 lakh ringgit) to Affin Bank Berhad in Malaysia.

Besides, the ACC also got information on the money of the high-ranking former military officer at Bank of America, USA.

According to the ACC findings, Ziaul Ahsan has been a citizen of an island nation, Antigua and Barbuda, since 2017. He acquired citizenship of the country by investing $1.35 million in a five-year bond and paying $200,000 to a consultancy firm in Malaysia.

The commission also found numerous properties and assets owned by Ziaul Ahsan, including five houses – one in Dhaka, three in Barishal, and another in Jhalakati.

He also owned three apartments and multiple land plots totaling 3,333.51 decimals and two luxury vehicles.

Zia’s stock market investments are Tk 5 crore and Tk 10.52 crore deposited in his bank accounts, said the findings.

Nusrat Jahan owns plots worth Tk 14.07 crore, savings certificates worth Tk 50 lakh, and bank deposits of Tk 3.63 crore between 2009 and 2024.

Ziaul Ahsan, who was arrested in mid-August, is facing charges of crimes against humanity and murders committed during the mass uprising in July and August.

He was relieved of service on August 6, a day after the fall of the Awami League regime in a student-led mass uprising. He served as the chief of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center since 2022. Earlier, he served in the Rapid Action Battalion.

The ACC also approved a case against former state minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts, Kujendra Lal Tripura, on charges of grabbing government Khash land worth Tk 1.02 crore.

According to ACC findings, Kujendra Lal Tripura, also a former AL lawmaker for Khagrachari, grabbed four acres of government land and built a resort on the land at Khagrachari Sadar upazila abusing his power.​

 

[Saif]

Ex-state minister Enamur Rahman arrested from Bashundhara

The Awami League lawmaker is accused in several cases including murder, filed over the incidents during the July-August mass uprisings

www.thedailystar.net

Ex-state minister Enamur Rahman arrested from Bashundhara

File photo

Detective Branch (DB) has arrested former state minister for disaster management and relief Dr Enamur Rahman from the Bashundhara area of the capital last night.

Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media and public relations) of the DMP, confirmed the arrest.

The Awami League lawmaker is accused in several cases including murder, filed over the incidents during the July-August mass uprisings.

In August, Md Alamgir, the father of the deceased Sajjad Hossain, 29, filed a murder case with Savar Model Police Station, accusing 321 people including Dr Enam.

The police, however, didn't disclose in which case he was arrested.

Enamur was elected MP from the Dhaka-19 constituency in both the 10th and 11th National Elections.

In the 12th National Election held in 2024, he contested under the "boat" symbol but was defeated by an independent candidate named Saiful Islam.

He served as the state minister for Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief during 2019–2024.

Enamur is also the founding chairman of Enam Medical College and Hospital.

On September 23, the Anti-Corruption Commission launched an investigation against the former state minister.

There are allegations of abuse of power and acquisition of wealth beyond known sources of income against him.

According to ACC sources, Enam reportedly has around Tk 6 crore in cash deposits and investments in various institutions.

He has invested crores of taka in Enam Medical Hospital, Enam Education and Industrial Village, and Enam Cancer Hospital.​

 

[Saif]

Ex-home minister Kamal a 'butcher' of Bangladesh: Shafiqul Alam

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has sharply criticised the media outlets that are giving platforms to people like former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, describing Kamal as the "butcher" of Bangladesh

www.thedailystar.net

Ex-home minister Kamal a 'butcher' of Bangladesh: Shafiqul Alam

Photo: PID

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has sharply criticised the media outlets that are giving platforms to people like former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, describing Kamal as the "butcher" of Bangladesh.

"Asaduzzamn Khan Kamal is the butcher of Bangladesh," he said today, referring to the killings of children, students, workers and rickshaw-pullers.

Responding to a question at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the evening, Alam said no one in the world gives a platform to a "butcher" and interviews a "butcher".

"You can realise the quality of those who are giving him a platform," said the press secretary, adding that it is a big international propaganda campaign.

CA's deputy press secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were also present at the briefing where the press secretary shared the highlights of CA's engagements at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

The chief adviser yesterday arrived in Dhaka from Switzerland after attending the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos where he was hailed as a "beacon, hero and an amazing image of stability."

The interview of fugitive mass-murder accused Asaduzzamn Khan Kamal carried by The Indian Express is full of lies and misinformation, said the CA's press wing.

Kamal, a close associate of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is reportedly hiding in India, is one of the masterminds of the July-August killings.

Indian Express carried his lies without verifying the information, the press wing said.​