Photo : Messenger
The former Tax Commissioner of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) in tax zone-7, AJM Ziaul Hoq, is facing serious allegations of accepting a bribe of Tk 1 crore from a local businessman.
Despite a case being filed with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against the accused businessman, no action has been taken against the former tax commissioner, who is currently abroad.
ACC sources have disclosed that an ongoing investigation is in progress regarding the illegal acquisition of wealth by AJM Ziaul Hoq. This has led to him being permitted to travel abroad as the ACC is yet to receive the investigation report from its official.
In response to these allegations, AJM Ziaul Hoq, currently visiting Canada, informed The Daily Messenger on Tuesday, "I am currently in Canada and plan to visit America next. My son resides in Australia, and my daughter is working in Canada."
Acknowledging the enquiry into the allegations of illegal wealth acquisition against him, he explained, "An official from NBR filed a complaint against me with the ACC. I submitted my asset declaration in 2019, and now, the investigation into these allegations is ongoing."
NBR sources have uncovered that Ziaul Hoq may have secured his position using a falsified freedom fighter certificate. However, this matter is under investigation by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs. Regarding the complaint, AJM Ziaul Hoq stated, "The matter has been resolved."
When asked if he plans to return to the country or stay abroad, he responded, "I will return to the country. My home is in Feni." According to NBR sources, three years ago, AJM Ziaul Hoq retired as Commissioner of Tax Zone-14.
Recently, the ACC filed a case against Mohammad Abu Saeed, a resident of Sutrapur in the capital, on charges of concealing illegal assets worth Tk 32 crore by falsely claiming income from a fish and poultry business.
The complaint alleges Abu Saeed's of bribing of Tk 1 crore to the former tax commissioner of tax zone 7, AJM Ziaul Hoq and falsely claiming income from a fish and poultry business of Tk 32 crore.
However, it's notable that while a case was filed against Abu Saeed, Ex Tax Commissioner AJM Ziaul Hoq has not been named as an accused in the same case. The ACC officer who filed the case was unavailable for comment.
The investigation into allegations of ill-gotten gains has not provided any comments on why a report has not been filed as of yet. A senior source within the ACC has hinted that the former tax commissioner might have connections as a lobbyist, adding a layer of complexity to this ongoing saga.
Messenger/Disha
