ACC
Sikder Group responds to allegations following ACC case against directors
Sikder Group, a prominent business conglomerate in Bangladesh, has issued a statement in response to various media reports regarding a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against its directors, Rick Haque Sikder and Ron Haque Sikder. The group alleges that certain vested interest groups are conspiring to tarnish its reputation by disseminating misleading information.
The statement highlights that the accusations, particularly concerning alleged money laundering involving National Bank's credit card, are unfounded. It clarifies that the Sikder Group directors lawfully utilized $9.83 million abroad through credit cards, subsequently settling the total amount, including $2.04 million in interest and charges, from their foreign earnings in accordance with Bangladesh Bank regulations. This matter was resolved two years prior, and the recent resurgence of these allegations is deemed to be maliciously motivated, the statement says.
Additionally, Sikder Group explains that the credit cards in question were linked to Foreign Currency (DC) accounts, which are exempt from the standard $12,000 travel quota limit.
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The conglomerate emphasizes its longstanding commitment to ethical business practices both domestically and internationally. Sikder Group, founded by Freedom Fighter Zainul Haque Sikder, has made significant contributions to Bangladesh's development sectors, including healthcare, education, and infrastructure, the statement says.
The group suggests that the malicious targeting has intensified following the death of its founder, Zainul Haque Sikder. It asserts that under the leadership of Rick Haque Sikder and Ron Haque Sikder, it has continued to achieve remarkable progress, despite ongoing attempts by detractors to hinder its growth. The statement condemns these actions, especially at a time when Sikder Group is endeavoring to secure foreign investment for key national projects, and calls on the public to disregard the baseless accusations circulated by these conspirators.
HC orders MP Salam Murshedy to hand over Gulshan house to govt
The High Court on Tuesday (March 19, 2024) ordered Khulna-4 MP and vice president of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Abdus Salam Murshedy to hand over his residence in Gulshan to the Housing and Public Works Ministry.
The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Kazi Ebadoth Hossain passed the order and asked Murshedy to complete the process within three months after receiving the copy of the verdict.
The court also said that the residence in Gulshan where Salam Murshedy is living is an abandoned property of the government.
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Senior Advocate Mohammad Syed Ahmed stood for Murshedy, Senior Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan for Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) while deputy attorney general Saifuddin Khaled represented the state and Advocate Anik R Haque stood for the petitioner.
Advocate Syed said they will file an appeal petition challenging the verdict.
On October 30, 2022, Barrister Sayedul Haque Sumon filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking an inquiry into the allegations of corruption against the BFF official.
According to the writ petition, the house located in Gulshan-2 was listed as the abandoned house under the gazette in 1986. But Murshedy is living there after occupying it.
Three letters of the Housing and Public Works Ministry to the chairman of Rajuk issued on April 13, 2015, January 20, 2016 and July 4, 2022 were attached to the writ petition.
The Housing and Public Works Ministry sought explanation from Rajuk Chairman over the occupation of the house by Murshedy .
On November 1, 2022, the HC issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the inaction of the authorities concerned in taking legal steps against the AL lawmaker for occupying the house illegally, should not be declared beyond legal authority.
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It also asked the authorities concerned to submit all documents regarding the house to the court.
On February 8 this year, the ACC in its investigation found the allegations of forgery and fraud over the house true and on the basis of information of witnesses and documents, the ACC filed a case against five people including Murshedy.
Abnormal increase in MPs' wealth should be investigated: CPD's Mustafizur Rahman
Distinguished fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Professor Dr. Mustafizur Rahman has said that the government and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) should investigate how the assets of MPs have increased manifold.
He said this at a view exchange meeting on the contemporary economic situation of Bangladesh organized by the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) at Paltan in the capital today (Tuesday).
The CPD fellow said, “I was surprised to see the rate of increase in wealth in the affidavits of the candidates in the 12th parliament elections. Where a plot of land costs Tk 1.0 crore; shown taka one lakh.”
Even then, wealth increases hundreds of times, then what is the real picture? “Seeing this, it is not clear how much wealth has actually increased,” Prof Mustafiz raised question.
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He said that in the affidavit of the candidates, the properties of many have increased hundreds of times. It is interesting to see how such a huge amount of wealth has grown in such a short time.
“Those properties have increased so much, the government and their party should ask to know the source of these properties. At the same time, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) should find the source of their assets,” said Prof Mustfiz.
He said that mismanagement of the banking sector, corruption, money laundering, everything is created by a 'dishonest cycle’.
He said that defaulted loans are increasing, and some banks have also fallen into disaster due to providing aggressive loans.
“It is Bangladesh Bank’s main responsibility to control this. They should be allowed to work independently either state or anyone can't interfere here, this must be ensured by the state,” he said.
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“Now the issue of merger of financially weak banks has been mentioned many times before. For this, legal weaknesses and regulations need to be fixed. Because the banking sector is the blood of the economy. The problem of this sector falls on the whole economy,” he pointed out.
He said that a large amount of money has to be provisioned by the bank against default. This means that the money is not able to participate in the economy, it is lying in the bank.
“By this, the bank's ability to give loans is decreasing and the income is decreasing,” he added.
Dr. Mustafiz said that suppose banks are paying interest against a deposit of Tk100, but the bank is able to give a loan of Tk80 out of Tk100. That means the loan interest rate has to increase, this again affects investment.
Regarding US sanctions, he said, America imposes trade restrictions (sanctions) for their own benefit.
“If necessary, contracts with countries like Venezuela. Therefore, it should be emphasized that they do not get the opportunity to sanction without paying attention to whether they will sanction or not. We must ensure the wages and rights of our workers,” he suggested.
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“The government has brought the garment industry to this level by providing various facilities. The world market of clothing is $700 billion. We have export potential. There is no other sector as big as this. Exports need to be diversified, go to new markets.”
There is still an opportunity to occupy a large part of this market, for that Bangladesh needs to modernize more.
He suggested emphasizing the export of the leather sector and pharmaceuticals. The global markets have a potential future for those products.
ERF’s general secretary Abul Kashem moderated the program while President Mohammad Refayet Ullah Mirdha presided over it.
ACC investigates corruption allegation against BIWTA’s additional director
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has started an investigation into alleged irregularities, corruption and illegal amassing of assets by AKM Arif Uddin alias Arif Hasnat, Additional Director of Ports and Transport Department of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority.
The anti-graft watchdog has formed a-two member inquiry committee headed by Deputy Director (investigation and inquiry-2) of the ACC Md. Hafizul Islam for fare . Another member of the team is its Assistant Director Subhash Chandra Majumder.
This information was in a letter of the ACC written to the Director (Administration) of the BIWTA. The ACC’s letter, signed by ACC Deputy Director (investigation and inquiry-2) Md. Hafizul Islam, was issued on last September 3.
In the letter, the ACC has asked for several important information about Narayanganj river port from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2022 and Dhaka river port (Sadarghat) from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022.
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These include accounting records of revenue collections, documentary records of earned revenue deposited (including deposit slips) in the government treasury and bank statements for the specified period.
Arif Uddin, currently posted at BIWTA's head office, was in charge of Dhaka and Narayanganj river ports at the time mentioned above.
ACC's letter has sought details of salary and allowances drawn by Arif Uddin since joining BIWTA till June 30 this year and office orders related to the responsibilities assigned to him.
ACC has also sought all records related to applications and approvals for holding business or shares in the names of Arif Uddin and his wife, children and brothers.
The ACC’s letter said that a letter was sent to the BIWTA on August 3 this year seeking above information for the sake of the ongoing investigation. But the BIWTA has not given it. For this reason, the inquiry activities are being hampered, it said.
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According to the ACC, though another letter was sent to the Director (Admin) BIWTA on September 3, seeking the same information and documents by 10 am on September 8.
However, it has been found that BIWTA has not sent any information to the ACC till writing this report.
When contacted BIWTA Director (Administration) Wakil Nawaz told UNB that his office (BIWTA head office) did not receive any letter from the ACC, which was sent on August 3 last month. However, he acknowledged that his office has already received the second letter, which was sent on September 3.
When he was asked why they (BIWTA) failed to provide the information to the ACC by September 8 this month, Wakil Newaz said he has been working on it and he hopes to provide the ACC required information very soon.
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When contacted by UNB Arif Uddin denied the allegations, saying that couple of years ago same type of allegations were brought against him and finally nothing was found against him.
After several years, someone brought the allegation to the ACC again against me. The ACC has been investigating the matter now. After completion of the ACC’s inquiry, the organization will take step as per its findings, said Arif, who has been also performing additional duty as Director (Land and Law) of the BIWTA.
Faridpur curtain scam: ACC submits chargesheet against 5 physicians, 9 others
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) submitted chargesheet against 14 people including five physicians in a case over curtain scam at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital (former Faridpur Medical College Hospital-FMCH).
Names of three people were excluded from the chargesheet as the ACC did not find their involvement in the graft.
The chargesheet was submitted to Faridpur District and Sessions Judge Court in first week of this month after ACC Commissioner (investigation) Md Jahurul Hoque approved it.
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The chargesheeted accused are contractor firm Anik Traders’ owner Abdullah Al Mamun, M/S Ahmed Enterprise’s Owner Munshi Farrukh Ahmed, M/S Ali Traders’ owner Alamgir Kabir, administrative officer of National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital MunshiSajjad Hossain, FMCH’s former associate prof (pediatric) Dr Barun Kanti Biswas, senior consultant (ophthalmology) Dr Enamul Huq, prof (medicine) Dr SheikhAbdul Fattah, associate professor(surgery) Dr Md Mizanur Rahman, resident medical officer Dr Md Shafiqu Ullah, the hospital’s social welfare officer Omar Faruk, storekeeper Abdul Razzaque, senior health education officer to Faridpur civil surgeon office Alamgir Farik, deputy divisional engineer (civil) to Faridpur Public Works department Abdus Sattar and assistant engineer (electrical engineering) to Dhaka’s Health Engineering Department Miah Mortoja Hossain.
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Those excluded from the chargesheet are the hospital’s associate prof (dental) Dr Ganapoti Biswas Shuvo, junior consultant (gynecology) Dr Minakki Chakma and Pathologist Dr AHM Nurul Islam.
Md Rezaul Karim, deputy director of Faridpur ACC integrated office, said they submitted the chargesheet after getting a nod from the head office.
He said the court set September 11 for hearing the case.
The accused embezzled Tk 10crore in the name of purchasing equipment, including curtain at an abnormal price, for the hospital.
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After widespread criticism across the country over the matter, the High Court ordered the ACC to look into the allegations on August 20 in 2019.
Subsequently, the ACC filed a case in this regard.
ACC sues Dr Yunus, 12 others in case over misappropriation of about Tk 25 cr
The Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday filed a case against Nobel Laureate and Grameen Telecom chairman Dr Muhammad Yunus and 12 others for their alleged involvement in misappropriation of about Tk 25 crore from the company’s Workers Profit Participation ( WPPF).
The commission’s deputy director Gulshan Anowar Pradhan filed the case with Dhaka district coordinated office -1, ACC director general Rezanur Rahman said.
ACC sues 7 BKB officials for embezzling over Tk 2 crore
A case was filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against seven officials of Bangladesh Krishi Bank allegedly for embezzling over Tk 2.2 crore making fake loan documents.
Deputy Director of ACC Faridpur District Office Md. Rezaul Karim filed the case on Wednesday as a plaintiff.
The accused are Md. Rezaul Haque, 43, former inspector of Rajbari district branch of Bangladesh Krishi Bank, former inspectors Md. Murtaza Ali, 41, Md Golam Ghaus, 65, former managers Md Mainul Islam, 63, Md Wahiduzzaman, 65, Md Siddiqur Rahman, 68, and SM Delwar Hossain, 61, of the same branch.
According to the case statement, the accused created a total 246 fraud loan documents from July 01, 2014 to June 30, 2019 at the time of their working at Bangladesh Krishi Bank Rajbari branch.
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Later, they created loan proposals of a total Tk 2 crore 20 lakh 19 thousand against the documents and made those approved by the managers. After approval, they withdraw money using names of various unknown customers.
Deputy Director of ACC Faridpur District Office Md. Rezaul Karim said that the accused embezzled a huge amount of money in collusion with each other by creating fake loan documents.
HC orders ACC to probe AL MP Golap’s properties in US
The High Court on Monday ordered the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate the allegation over purchasing of multiple houses by Awami League MP Abdus Sobhan Mia (Golap) in New York.
The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the order after hearing on a writ petition in this regard.
The court asked the ACC to submit the probe report within four months.
The court also issued a rule asking why the inaction of the respondents to investigate the allegation against Golap over purchasing multiple houses in New York and acquiring huge illegal property abroad through abusing power should not be declared illegal.
Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Suman stood for the writ petition.
Barrister Syed Sayedul filed the writ petition with the HC bench concerned on Sunday seeking investigation into the alleged purchase of nine houses by MP Golap in New York at a cost of 40 lakh dollar.
Chief Election Commissioner, Chairman of Anti-Corruption Commission, Chairman of National Board of Revenue (NBR) and secretary to the Home Ministry were made respondents in the writ petition.
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A report in this regard was published in a daily newspaper which was attached to the writ.
Recently, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a global network of investigative journalism, published a report on its website where it claimed that AL MP Golap purchased a number of houses in New York at a cost of 40 lakh dollar.
According to the report, Golap started to buy homes in New York from 2014 and in five years, he managed to purchase nine houses. The estimated cost of the houses is approximately Tk 42 crore.
Golap was elected AL MP from Madaripur-3 constituency in 2018 and he was made the publicity secretary of the Central Awami League in December last. He was also served as the office secretary of the party.
Recruitment irregularities: ACC starts probe against ex-VC of Khulna Agricultural University
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has started an investigation against former vice-chancellor of Khulna Agricultural University (KAU), Dr Shahidur Rahman Khan, for his alleged involvement in irregularities in the recruitment of 426 teachers and staff members for the university.
KAU authorities on Monday (January 23, 2023) submitted documents related to last three years’ recruitment to the ACC.
The development came after a national daily published a report in September last year stating the irregularities in the recruitment process of Khulna Agricultural University. It said some 426 teachers and staff members were appointed for KAU against 350 students and also 43 departments were opened in just three years.
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Later, the University Grants Commission (UGC) conducted an investigation and found anomalies in the recruitment.
Based on the report, the education ministry on August 3 last year ordered cancellation of the appointment of 73 teachers and staff members including the relatives of the vice-chancellor.
In November last year, ACC took a decision to investigate the irregularities in the recruitment process of KAU and assigned Ershad Mia, deputy director of the ACC, to lead the investigation.
The investigation officer on January 2 sent a letter to the university authorities asking to submit recruitment related documents including recruitment notices, candidates' applications, and written test records by January 10.
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The anti-graft agency also requested university authorities to submit a probe report if any investigation was conducted previously in this connection.
Later, the inquiry officer extended the deadline till January 23 following the application of university authorities.
KAU Registrar Dr Mazharul Anwar on Monday submitted the documents to the investigating officer.
Ershad Mia, investigating officer, said he has received some documents and these will be inspected.
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ACC to investigate Bangladeshi buying spree in Dubai's real estate sector
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) commissioner Zahirul Haque has disclosed that the commission will start an investigation about the properties of 459 Bangladeshi nationals in Dubai.
The commissioner said this in a discussion with journalists in his office in the head office of ACC.
The High Court on January 15 ordered four agencies, including the Anti-Corruption Commission, to investigate. The other agencies are Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and National Board of Revenue (NBR).
The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the order after hearing a writ petition in this regard. It asked the four agencies to submit the progress report within a month.
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The court also issued a rule questioning why the inaction of the authorities concerned should not be declared illegal.
On January 12, Advocate Subir Nandi filed the writ petition attaching a report in this regard published in a national daily.
According to the report, a huge amount of money has been transferred to Dubai from different parts of the globe including Bangladesh.
Based on a report of US-based Centre for Advanced Defense Studies, the EU Tax Observatory said 459 Bangladeshis have purchased 972 properties in Dubai till 2020, concealing the information in their own country.
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According to the report, Bangladeshis have purchased the properties worth approximately one billion dollars during this period, making them one of the top buyers in the real estate sector of Dubai.
Experts believe that huge amounts of money are being transferred due to the lack of effective and strong measures to stop money laundering, it said.