ACC lacked ‘courage’ then, but active now

The Anti-Corruption Commission had particular data of 31 influential of us amassing unlawful sources sooner than the autumn of the Awami League authorities within the face of a mass revolution. On the opposite hand, the just say agency didn’t have the braveness to manufacture something about it as a result of prevailing circumstances lend a hand then. Now, after the period in-between authorities took over, the ACC has taken a decision on principle to study the allegations in opposition to those folk. A entire lot of separate investigations are already underway.

The list of those 31 influential of us involves 11 historical ministers and say ministers, 19 ex-MPs and a son of a gradual historical minister.

The ACC chanced on particular data about acquiring sources previous identified sources of earnings in opposition to these folk from 2018 to 2020. On the opposite hand, the ACC could per chance well no longer delivery any inquiry in opposition to those of us as the authorities did give any ‘green ticket’ to proceed. A entire lot of ACC sources relevant to investigations disclosed the topic to Prothom Alo.

Amongst the peculiar ministers in that list are – Shahjahan Khan, Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, Mostafizur Rahman, Gazi Golam Dastagir, Abdur Rahman and Zillul Hakim. Aged say ministers Mahbub Ali, Meher Afroz, Enamur Rahman, Nasrul Hamid and Sharif Ahmed are additionally within the list of ACC. The formers MPs within the are – Mostafizur Rahman, Asim Kumar Ukil, Manu Mazumdar, Solaiman Haque Joardar, Iqbalur Rahim, Ranajit Kumar Roy, Shafikul Islam Shimul, Golam Faruk, Naimur Rahman, HM Ibrahim, Md Saifuzzaman Shikhar, Rashedul Millat, Hafez Ruhul Amin Madani, Shawkat Hasanur Rahman, Abdul Aziz, Anwarul Ashraf Khan, Didarul Alam and HBM Iqbal. The list additionally involves historical BNP lawmaker Sardar Shakhawat Hossain and Tomal Mansur, son of gradual Awami League chief Mohammad Nasim.

Talking to Prothom Alo, numerous ACC sources relevant to investigations acknowledged the ACC has a directive relating to investigations into the allegations of acquiring sources previous identified offer of earnings and money laundering. The ACC officers ought to inquire of concerning the accused particular person’s offer of earnings, monetary transactions, property purchased within the title of folk, and conduct raids at the site online and places of work of that particular person. On the opposite hand, the ACC is struggling to preserve these routine works as they aren’t getting permissions to conduct any quarries out of doorways most often.  The commission itself is accountable for granting these permissions.

The discontinue ACC officers, including serving chairman Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullar and commissioners Md Zahurul Haque and Asia Khatun, had been appointed by the no longer too lengthy within the past ousted Awami League authorities. There had been main reshuffles in a decision of somewhat just a few constitutional agencies and statutory organisations, including the discontinue officers, after the period in-between authorities led by Dr Muhammad Yunus used to be sworn in on 8 August. On the opposite hand, the period in-between authorities is yet to take any decision relating to the ACC.

Pupil In opposition to Discrimination coordinators Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah paid a traipse to to the ACC pickle of job within the capital’s Segunbagicha on 29 August. There they met the ACC chairman. Talking to the newspersons afterwards, Sarjis Alam acknowledged, “We advised the ACC that the ousted fascist authorities lodged false cases and careworn those that adverse them. Spurious cases had been outmoded in every case from household feuds to dispute over lands. We advised them that this ought to now not be the case ever yet again. We additionally advised them no political events ought to be given any chance to harass of us by framing faux costs.”

Since the autumn of the Awami League authorities, the ACC has willing a main list of some 150 highly efficient folk who’re accused of undertaking sources previous identified offer and money laundering. The list involves influential folk, who served as ministers all via the closing four consecutive phrases of the Sheikh-Hasina-authorities, historical lawmakers, bureaucrats, police officers and trade folk.

The ACC launched investigations in opposition to seventy 9 of them within the 10 days from 15 August to 5 September. A entire lot of accused folk from the previously mentioned list of 31 are additionally in this newly willing list. Investigations into other of us within the list will be launched soon, ACC sources acknowledged.

Talking relating to the ACC propelling its actions after the autumn of the Awami League authorities, ACC chairman Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah advised Prothom Alo, “We receive somewhat just a few complaints. Some of us are accused of being irascible. The ACC detectives then delivery inquiries to test the complaints. If verified, the ACC launches an first rate investigation. Within the identical way, we launched investigations in opposition to historical ministers and lawmakers.”

ACC sources acknowledged, investigations are already underway in opposition to 15 of us, who had been ministers all via somewhat just a few phrases of the AL authorities. Aged house minister Asaduzzaman Khan is one in every of them. The ACC launched the investigation in opposition to him on 15 August. Then on August 17, the investigation began in opposition to historical finance minister AHM Mustafa Kamal and three historical members of parliament – Nizam Uddin Hazari, Masud Uddin Chowdhury and Benazir Ahmed. They are accused of controlling the Malaysian labour market via a syndicate. It is alleged that they made a fortune of Tk 240 billion via this.

The ACC began investigations in opposition to historical land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury on 18 August. The ACC accused him of amassing huge unlawful sources via corruption forcing his energy and money laundering. The ACC acknowledged Saifuzzaman established numerous trade firms within the USA, UK and UAE with the laundered money. The peculiar AL minister owns property worth GBP 200 million (Tk 31.40 billion) in London alone, in accordance with the ACC probe yarn.

The ACC launched probes in opposition to 41 historical ministers and MPs, including historical commerce minister Tipu Munshi on 19 August. This list involves historical ministers Hasan Mahmud, Anisul Huq, Dipu Moni, Tipu Munshi, Tajul Islam, Sadhan Chandra Majumder, Nurul Mazid Humayun, Imran Ahmed, Zahid Maleque, Golam Dastagir Gazi, Muhibul Hasan Chowdhury and historical say ministers Nasrul Hamid, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Enamur Rahman, Zunaid Ahmed, Faridul Haque Khan, Zakir Hossain, Kamal Ahmed Majumder and Zahid Ahsan Russel.

On 20 August, the ACC launched probes on historical transport minister Shahjahan Khan, 5 ex-MPs and historical prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s peon Md Jahangir. The ACC sources acknowledged they chanced on data of sources worth Tk 210 gained illegally by Jahangir. His spouse has property worth Tk 30 million.

The decision to study the sources of Salman F Rahman, Nasrul Hamid and Zunaid Ahmed used to be taken on 22 August, in accordance with ACC sources. Lastly, on 4 September, the commission launched an investigation in opposition to historical army chief Total (retired) Aziz Ahmed.

Analysing the doc willing by the ACC on 41 historical ministers and lawmakers, it used to be chanced on that there are somewhat just a few forms of allegations in opposition to these folk, including abuse of energy, misappropriation of authorities funds via irregularities and corruption and gaining property previous identified offer of earnings. There are additionally allegations of extortions, gentle trade and forceful occupation. Some of them are accused of being desirous about fragment market scam, amassing billions invested by the fragment market merchants via forgery, exerting influence to gain ample bank loans and laundering the money afterwards.

There are allegations in opposition to historical Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia and historical extra commissioner the Detective Department (DB) Harun-or-Rashid of amassing sources previous precise form offer of earnings. The ACC launched investigations into these allegations on 18 August.

In accordance with ACC sources the peculiar DMP commissioner made huge sources via corruption and misuse of energy. And historical DB chief Harun-or-Rashid purchased a condominium worth USD 5 million in Original York on his spouse’s title. He additionally owns a resort in his hold dwelling in Kishoreganj as well to to numerous properties and apartments in Dhaka.

The investigation into the corruption costs in opposition to historical cabinet secretary Kabir Bin Anwar began on 25 August.

The ACC launched investigations in opposition to highly controversial businessman S Alam, his household and Nafeez Sharafat on 15 August. Aged prime minister’s advisor and BEXIMCO neighborhood vice president Salman F Rahman is additionally below ACC investigation on costs of amassing sources illegally and money laundering. The investigation began on 22 August.

In accordance with numerous ACC sources, the commission used to be compelled to harass many businesspersons at the behest of those businesspersons who had been very end to the Sheikh Hasina-led authorities. They compelled the ACC to resort cases in opposition to numerous folk, including MGH Neighborhood chief govt officer (CEO) Anis Ahmed. It used to be Salman F Rahman who pulled the strings from at the lend a hand of for this. Within the identical way, Nafeez Sharafat used to be at the lend a hand of the ACC case lodged in opposition to the proprietor of an on-line data portal.

Talking to Prothom Alo, Transparency Global Bangladesh (TIB) govt director Iftekharuzzaman acknowledged, “The formula the ACC effect in circulation following the regime trade proves the commission’s main consideration for taking any action in opposition to corruption is whether or no longer the concerned particular person is in energy or no longer. Despite having concrete proof of corruption in opposition to those that had connections with the discontinue echelons of the AL authorities, the ACC did no longer take any action.”

He extra acknowledged, “These ACC investigations in opposition to these folk now inevitably elevate the set up a query to whether these efforts came out of the commission’s ethical braveness to fabricate their mandate or a duvet up for their ineffectiveness and biased come over the closing one and a half a long time.”

*This yarn regarded on the print and on-line variations of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten in English by Ashish Basu

The Anti-Corruption Commission had particular data of 31 influential of us amassing unlawful sources sooner than the autumn of the Awami League authorities within the face of a mass revolution. On the opposite hand, the just say agency didn’t have the braveness to manufacture something about it as a result of prevailing circumstances lend a hand then. Now, after the period in-between authorities took over, the ACC has taken a decision on principle to study the allegations in opposition to those folk. A entire lot of separate investigations are already underway.

The list of those 31 influential of us involves 11 historical ministers and say ministers, 19 ex-MPs and a son of a gradual historical minister.

The ACC chanced on particular data about acquiring sources previous identified sources of earnings in opposition to these folk from 2018 to 2020. On the opposite hand, the ACC could per chance well no longer delivery any inquiry in opposition to those of us as the authorities did give any ‘green ticket’ to proceed. A entire lot of ACC sources relevant to investigations disclosed the topic to Prothom Alo.

Amongst the peculiar ministers in that list are – Shahjahan Khan, Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, Mostafizur Rahman, Gazi Golam Dastagir, Abdur Rahman and Zillul Hakim. Aged say ministers Mahbub Ali, Meher Afroz, Enamur Rahman, Nasrul Hamid and Sharif Ahmed are additionally within the list of ACC. The formers MPs within the are – Mostafizur Rahman, Asim Kumar Ukil, Manu Mazumdar, Solaiman Haque Joardar, Iqbalur Rahim, Ranajit Kumar Roy, Shafikul Islam Shimul, Golam Faruk, Naimur Rahman, HM Ibrahim, Md Saifuzzaman Shikhar, Rashedul Millat, Hafez Ruhul Amin Madani, Shawkat Hasanur Rahman, Abdul Aziz, Anwarul Ashraf Khan, Didarul Alam and HBM Iqbal. The list additionally involves historical BNP lawmaker Sardar Shakhawat Hossain and Tomal Mansur, son of gradual Awami League chief Mohammad Nasim.

Talking to Prothom Alo, numerous ACC sources relevant to investigations acknowledged the ACC has a directive relating to investigations into the allegations of acquiring sources previous identified offer of earnings and money laundering. The ACC officers ought to inquire of concerning the accused particular person’s offer of earnings, monetary transactions, property purchased within the title of folk, and conduct raids at the site online and places of work of that particular person. On the opposite hand, the ACC is struggling to preserve these routine works as they aren’t getting permissions to conduct any quarries out of doorways most often.  The commission itself is accountable for granting these permissions.

The discontinue ACC officers, including serving chairman Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullar and commissioners Md Zahurul Haque and Asia Khatun, had been appointed by the no longer too lengthy within the past ousted Awami League authorities. There had been main reshuffles in a decision of somewhat just a few constitutional agencies and statutory organisations, including the discontinue officers, after the period in-between authorities led by Dr Muhammad Yunus used to be sworn in on 8 August. On the opposite hand, the period in-between authorities is yet to take any decision relating to the ACC.

Pupil In opposition to Discrimination coordinators Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah paid a traipse to to the ACC pickle of job within the capital’s Segunbagicha on 29 August. There they met the ACC chairman. Talking to the newspersons afterwards, Sarjis Alam acknowledged, “We advised the ACC that the ousted fascist authorities lodged false cases and careworn those that adverse them. Spurious cases had been outmoded in every case from household feuds to dispute over lands. We advised them that this ought to now not be the case ever yet again. We additionally advised them no political events ought to be given any chance to harass of us by framing faux costs.”

Since the autumn of the Awami League authorities, the ACC has willing a main list of some 150 highly efficient folk who’re accused of undertaking sources previous identified offer and money laundering. The list involves influential folk, who served as ministers all via the closing four consecutive phrases of the Sheikh-Hasina-authorities, historical lawmakers, bureaucrats, police officers and trade folk.

The ACC launched investigations in opposition to seventy 9 of them within the 10 days from 15 August to 5 September. A entire lot of accused folk from the previously mentioned list of 31 are additionally in this newly willing list. Investigations into other of us within the list will be launched soon, ACC sources acknowledged.

Talking relating to the ACC propelling its actions after the autumn of the Awami League authorities, ACC chairman Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah advised Prothom Alo, “We receive somewhat just a few complaints. Some of us are accused of being irascible. The ACC detectives then delivery inquiries to test the complaints. If verified, the ACC launches an first rate investigation. Within the identical way, we launched investigations in opposition to historical ministers and lawmakers.”

ACC sources acknowledged, investigations are already underway in opposition to 15 of us, who had been ministers all via somewhat just a few phrases of the AL authorities. Aged house minister Asaduzzaman Khan is one in every of them. The ACC launched the investigation in opposition to him on 15 August. Then on August 17, the investigation began in opposition to historical finance minister AHM Mustafa Kamal and three historical members of parliament – Nizam Uddin Hazari, Masud Uddin Chowdhury and Benazir Ahmed. They are accused of controlling the Malaysian labour market via a syndicate. It is alleged that they made a fortune of Tk 240 billion via this.

The ACC began investigations in opposition to historical land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury on 18 August. The ACC accused him of amassing huge unlawful sources via corruption forcing his energy and money laundering. The ACC acknowledged Saifuzzaman established numerous trade firms within the USA, UK and UAE with the laundered money. The peculiar AL minister owns property worth GBP 200 million (Tk 31.40 billion) in London alone, in accordance with the ACC probe yarn.

The ACC launched probes in opposition to 41 historical ministers and MPs, including historical commerce minister Tipu Munshi on 19 August. This list involves historical ministers Hasan Mahmud, Anisul Huq, Dipu Moni, Tipu Munshi, Tajul Islam, Sadhan Chandra Majumder, Nurul Mazid Humayun, Imran Ahmed, Zahid Maleque, Golam Dastagir Gazi, Muhibul Hasan Chowdhury and historical say ministers Nasrul Hamid, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Enamur Rahman, Zunaid Ahmed, Faridul Haque Khan, Zakir Hossain, Kamal Ahmed Majumder and Zahid Ahsan Russel.

On 20 August, the ACC launched probes on historical transport minister Shahjahan Khan, 5 ex-MPs and historical prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s peon Md Jahangir. The ACC sources acknowledged they chanced on data of sources worth Tk 210 gained illegally by Jahangir. His spouse has property worth Tk 30 million.

The decision to study the sources of Salman F Rahman, Nasrul Hamid and Zunaid Ahmed used to be taken on 22 August, in accordance with ACC sources. Lastly, on 4 September, the commission launched an investigation in opposition to historical army chief Total (retired) Aziz Ahmed.

Analysing the doc willing by the ACC on 41 historical ministers and lawmakers, it used to be chanced on that there are somewhat just a few forms of allegations in opposition to these folk, including abuse of energy, misappropriation of authorities funds via irregularities and corruption and gaining property previous identified offer of earnings. There are additionally allegations of extortions, gentle trade and forceful occupation. Some of them are accused of being desirous about fragment market scam, amassing billions invested by the fragment market merchants via forgery, exerting influence to gain ample bank loans and laundering the money afterwards.

There are allegations in opposition to historical Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia and historical extra commissioner the Detective Department (DB) Harun-or-Rashid of amassing sources previous precise form offer of earnings. The ACC launched investigations into these allegations on 18 August.

In accordance with ACC sources the peculiar DMP commissioner made huge sources via corruption and misuse of energy. And historical DB chief Harun-or-Rashid purchased a condominium worth USD 5 million in Original York on his spouse’s title. He additionally owns a resort in his hold dwelling in Kishoreganj as well to to numerous properties and apartments in Dhaka.

The investigation into the corruption costs in opposition to historical cabinet secretary Kabir Bin Anwar began on 25 August.

The ACC launched investigations in opposition to highly controversial businessman S Alam, his household and Nafeez Sharafat on 15 August. Aged prime minister’s advisor and BEXIMCO neighborhood vice president Salman F Rahman is additionally below ACC investigation on costs of amassing sources illegally and money laundering. The investigation began on 22 August.

In accordance with numerous ACC sources, the commission used to be compelled to harass many businesspersons at the behest of those businesspersons who had been very end to the Sheikh Hasina-led authorities. They compelled the ACC to resort cases in opposition to numerous folk, including MGH Neighborhood chief govt officer (CEO) Anis Ahmed. It used to be Salman F Rahman who pulled the strings from at the lend a hand of for this. Within the identical way, Nafeez Sharafat used to be at the lend a hand of the ACC case lodged in opposition to the proprietor of an on-line data portal.

Talking to Prothom Alo, Transparency Global Bangladesh (TIB) govt director Iftekharuzzaman acknowledged, “The formula the ACC effect in circulation following the regime trade proves the commission’s main consideration for taking any action in opposition to corruption is whether or no longer the concerned particular person is in energy or no longer. Despite having concrete proof of corruption in opposition to those that had connections with the discontinue echelons of the AL authorities, the ACC did no longer take any action.”

He extra acknowledged, “These ACC investigations in opposition to these folk now inevitably elevate the set up a query to whether these efforts came out of the commission’s ethical braveness to fabricate their mandate or a duvet up for their ineffectiveness and biased come over the closing one and a half a long time.”

*This yarn regarded on the print and on-line variations of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten in English by Ashish Basu