Photo: Collected
In the wake of recent political changes in Bangladesh following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government through a massive coup on August 5, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has been inundated with complaints and cases against corrupt leaders, government officials, and businessmen. The ACC is struggling to investigate the overwhelming number of charges within a short period.
According to ACC sources, more than a dozen investigations and cases were decided on Tuesday, almost all targeting various ministers, MPs, and senior officials of the previous government. Since the formation of the interim government, investigations have also been launched against hundreds of individuals.
An ACC official, on condition of anonymity, told The Daily Messenger that since August 8, the ACC has been receiving a surge of complaints daily. The number of complaints has increased severalfold compared to earlier. Most of these complaints are against political figures, particularly leaders and activists of the Awami League.
Additionally, complaints are being gathered against many individuals who held high-level positions in the government. Some of the accused are absconding, while others have left the country. Many more are currently detained by law enforcement agencies.
It is known that ACC officials are overwhelmed by the number of complaints and cases being filed each day. Officers must handle these cases in addition to their regular duties, creating significant pressure on the ACC due to a lack of manpower.
According to ACC sources, during a commission meeting held at the head office on Tuesday, a decision was made to investigate Ashraful Alam Khokon, the former deputy press secretary of ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on charges of trading posts and acquiring illegal wealth.
ACC Secretary Khorsheda Yasmin said that the complaint against Khokon involves trading posts within the Awami League during his tenure as Deputy Press Secretary. He was also allegedly involved in gold and currency smuggling syndicates, amassing hundreds of crores of takas through various irregularities and corrupt practices, including receiving financial benefits from businesses like Max Group and Nagad, and operating an illegal VoIP business.
Furthermore, an application has been filed with the ACC seeking legal action against Mozammel Haque, additional DIG at the police headquarters, and his wife, Farzana Mozammel. The application calls for exemplary punishment of the couple under the ACC Act.
Meanwhile, the ACC has initiated an investigation into the illegal acquisition of wealth by the former head of the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police, Harun Or Rashid. The agency has requested information on Harun from various departments. On Tuesday, a letter was sent from the ACC head office to Bangladesh Bank, the Sub-Registry Office, Passport Office, Election Commission, and more than fifty other institutions.
Last Sunday, the ACC initiated an investigation against the police officer in question. The following day, Monday, a three-member committee was formed under the leadership of Zainal Abedin, Deputy Director of the organization. This influential police officer is alleged to have built a dozen houses and acquired over 50 flats and plots in the capital during the previous government. Additionally, he is believed to have accumulated significant wealth abroad, including in the United States, Dubai, and Jeddah.
The ACC has also started investigations against former Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed and former DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia. Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed is accused of building a real estate empire in the UK since 2016, purchasing more than 350 properties worth approximately 200 million British pounds (about 2,770 crores in Bangladeshi currency). He is also alleged to have established businesses and purchased flats in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates, including three businesses and nine flats in the United States.
On June 27, a Supreme Court lawyer appealed to the ACC, demanding an investigation into the illegal acquisition of wealth by former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia. Several other complaints were submitted alongside that application, which were scrutinized, leading to the decision to launch an investigation.
Furthermore, the ACC has filed a case against former DG and Project Director Shudhanshu Shekhar Bhadra and Deputy Postmaster General and Assistant Project Director Mostak Ahmed for misappropriating Tk 15.11 crores.
On Tuesday, ACC Assistant Director Abul Kalam Azad filed the case in Dhaka 1 Integrated District Office as the plaintiff. The accused have been charged under Section 409/109 of the Penal Code and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Additionally, the ACC has begun investigations against five leaders of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations, including former Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan. The other leaders are Jannat Ara Talukdar Henry, Joint General Secretary of Awami Mahila League and Joint General Secretary of Sirajganj District Awami League; Asim Kumar Ukil, Member of Parliament and Awami League leader; his wife, Professor Apu Ukil, General Secretary of Jubo Mahila League; and former Minister of Public Education Mostafizur Rahman Fizar.
The ACC is also investigating various irregularities and corruption involving Jahangir Alam, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's former personal assistant (Peon), who allegedly owns Tk 400 crores. This decision was made during the commission meeting held at the ACC head office on Tuesday.
Messenger/Disha
