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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has taken legal action against Dildar Ahmed Selim, the proprietor of Apan Jewellers, on allegations of amassing illicit wealth amounting to Tk 60 crore. The case was filed by Assistant Director Muhammad Jafar Sadek Shibli as the plaintiff at the ACC's Integrated District Office (Dhaka-1) on Tuesday.
Earlier, on October 19, the ACC approved filing of a case against the two owners of Apan Jewelers, Dildar Ahmed Salim and Azad Ahmed, on the grounds of amassing illegal wealth totaling Tk 77 crore. ACC sources indicate that another assistant director from ACC is expected to file a separate case against Azad Ahmed in the near future.
As per the details provided in the case statement, Dildar Ahmed Salim, the owner of Apan Jewellers, allegedly concealed information regarding the acquisition of assets amounting to Tk 66 lakh 64 thousand in the wealth statement submitted to the ACC. Additionally, the ACC's investigation has uncovered evidence suggesting that he fraudulently possessed assets worth Tk 59 crore 76 lakh 56 thousand, which is inconsistent with his known sources of income. He failed to provide any acceptable source of income related to the acquisition of these assets. Consequently, he has been charged under Sections 26(2) and 27(1) of the ACC Act 2004.
Dildar Ahmed Selim's immovable assets consist of---8 katha plot and 14.2 square feet flat in Bhatara Mauza, Gulshan, 19 katha and 14.5 Chatak of land with a two-storied building in Bhola Samair Mauza, Gulshan, five shops located in Anarkali Super Market in Siddheshwari, a 35.78 katha plot of land in various sectors in Aftabnagar, an investment for the purchase of a 2.78 katha plot, 5 katha of land in Aftabnagar, an investment for the purchase of 10 katha of land in Purbachal, Rupganj, Narayanganj, 10.40 acres of land in Dattarail Mouza, Golapganj, Sylhet, two shops in Mouchak shopping center in Dhaka, two shops in Rifles Square. These assets are under scrutiny as part of the investigation into the alleged acquisition of illegal wealth by Dildar Ahmed Selim.
On March 28, 2017, Safat Ahmed, the son of the owner of Apan Jewelers, and his friend Naeem Ashraf were accused of raping two students after inviting them to a birthday party at Raintree Hotel in the capital. One of the victims filed a case against the accused under the Women and Child Abuse Prevention Act at the Banani police station on the night of May 6 that year.
Subsequently, based on specific complaints and preliminary investigations, the Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation took action to seize 537 kg 500 grams of gold and 7,743 pieces of diamonds from five showrooms of Apan Jewelers on various occasions in May and June 2017. Following the gold scandal, the ACC initiated proceedings against the owners of the company. This action was taken after the customs detective sent a letter to the ACC, recommending legal action against the owners of the firm for alleged corruption related to the acquisition of assets with unclear sources of income.
On October 10, 2021, the court accepted two separate charge sheets against the owners of Apan Jewellers, Gulzar Ahmed and Azad Ahmed, in two cases filed at Gulshan police station. These cases were filed on charges related to hoarding gold ornaments through smuggling to evade duties and taxes. Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge and Senior Special Judge Court Judge KM Imrul Kayesh accepted these charge sheets. Prior to this, on February 28, the investigating officer of the case had submitted the charge sheet for consideration by the court.
Apan Jewelers faced accusations of smuggling Tk 190 crore 78 lakh while purchasing 13 and a half maunds of gold and 7,775 pieces of diamonds. This resulted in tax evasion amounting to Tk 27 crore 52 lakh. These funds were alleged to have been laundered through revenue evasion. Law enforcement authorities seized a total of 537 kg 500 grams of gold and 7,743 pieces of diamonds from five branches of Apan Jewelers. On August 12 of the same year, two cases were registered against Apan Jewelers at Gulshan Police Station, another at Dhanmondi Police Station, one at Ramna Police Station, and one at Uttara Purba Police Station, in connection with these allegations.
Apan Jewelers failed to provide legitimate documentation for the import of jewelry. According to the customs intelligence office, these ornaments were allegedly brought into the country as part of money laundering schemes. Tax evasion was accomplished through the concealment of information in income tax documents submitted to the National Board of Revenue (NBR). The investigation conducted by the customs detective has implicated the three brothers, Azad Ahmed, Gulzar Ahmed, and Dildar Ahmed, who are the owners of Apan Jewelers, in these alleged wrongdoings.
Messenger/Disha
