The Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said the government has not interfered in the Anti-Corruption Commission's (ACC) ongoing investigation against six National Board of Revenue (NBR) officials.
He made the remarks amid widespread speculation that the probe may be politically motivated in light of recent NBR staff protests.
Speaking at the Secretariat on Monday following the announcement of a new budgeting system for 72 state-owned and autonomous entities, Dr. Ahmed addressed journalists' questions about the ACC investigation. Finance Secretary Md. Khairuzzaman Majumder was also present.
In response to suggestions that the investigation could be a continuation of past government practices of using the ACC for political purposes, Dr. Ahmed clarified, "The finance ministry does not issue directives in this regard. Previously, some central bank governors may have acted as government agents, but that is no longer the case."
He acknowledged concerns about the timing of the investigation but emphasized that the disruptions caused by the NBR strike—including port closures—had serious economic consequences. "Every day, I received complaints from business leaders about halted operations and financial losses. That kind of disruption is simply unacceptable," he said.
Dr. Ahmed stressed that essential services like the NBR and port operations are public assets and must not be unilaterally suspended. "These are not private properties. Shutting down services that impact national revenue is against public interest," he noted.
He welcomed the resolution of the NBR protest, expressing optimism that a sustainable solution is now within reach. To protesting officials, he advised, “Work with integrity, without bias or fear. Public service must be transparent and accountable. If someone deviates, they should be held accountable—this is only natural.”
The ACC recently launched a probe into six NBR officials for allegedly facilitating tax evasion in exchange for bribes and amassing illegal wealth. Those under investigation include: AKM Badiul Alam (Member, Income Tax Policy), Hasan Muhammad Tarek Rikabdar (Additional Director General, Audit, Intelligence & Investigation Directorate), Mirza Ashik Rana (Additional Commissioner), Monalisa Shahreen Sushmita (Additional Tax Commissioner), Sadhan Kumar Kundu (Additional Commissioner), and Mohammad Morshed Uddin Khan (Joint Tax Commissioner).
Sources within the NBR note that at least five of those named are directly involved in the recent protest movement. Notably, Rikabdar serves as the president of the NBR Reform Unity Council, the group that led the strike action.
