ACC files 2 cases against ex-CCC councillor, wife

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed two separate cases against Ziaul Haque Sumon, former councillor of Chittagong City Corporation's (CCC) South Halishahar ward no. 39 and his wife Shahnaz Akhter, on charges of acquiring assets worth around Tk 3 crore 63 lakh undeclared.

ACC Chittagong District Office-1 Deputy Director Subel Ahmed confirmed the development on Thursday.

According to ACC sources, in the first case filed against former councillor Ziaul Haque Sumon, allegations have been made that he concealed information about movable and immovable assets worth Tk 86 lakh 90 thousand 237 in the asset declaration submitted to Anti-Corruption Commission. 

At the same time, evidence has been found of acquiring and possessing assets inconsistent with the known sources of income of Tk 16 crore 51 lakh 10 thousand 352 in his name.

ACC investigation found that Ziaul Haque Sumon's acceptable income from 2013-14 to 2021-22 fiscal year was only Tk 1 crore 26 lakh 46 thousand 14. 

However, his total acquired assets and expenses during that period amounted to more than Tk 17 crore 77 lakh.

As a result, there was a major discrepancy with the source of his income. 

A case has been filed against him under Sections 26(2) and 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004.

On the other hand, Ziaul Haque Sumon's wife Shahnaz Akhtar has also been accused of acquiring assets inconsistent with the known source of income of Tk 2 crore 2 lakh 26 thousand 269. 

The ACC investigation found that only Tk 66 lakh 52 thousand was found acceptable income against his acquired assets and expenses.

According to ACC's allegations, Shahnaz Akhtar acquired and possessed these illegal assets with the help of her husband Ziaul Haque Sumon. 

Following the incident, a case has been filed against him under Section 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004 and Section 109 of the Penal Code.

AH/SH