Ex-minister Palak to be interrogated at jail gate in ACC case

A Dhaka court on Monday has ordered to interrogate former state minister for posts, telecommunications and information technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak at the jail gate for one day in connection with a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Dhaka Senior Special Judge Sabbir Faiz passed the order after ACC filed a petition.

According to the application, Palak was accused of abusing his authority to a mass wealth through illegal means. An ACC inquiry reportedly uncovered movable and immovable assets worth Tk 8.73 crore held in his name and under proxy ownership, which are inconsistent with his known sources of income.

The investigation also revealed that a total of Tk 32.04 crore had been deposited across 25 bank accounts held individually and jointly in his name. Of this amount, Tk 29.84 crore has already been withdrawn.

ACC alleges that the money was acquired through bribery and corruption and subsequently laundered, constituting punishable offences under the country’s anti-money laundering laws.

Further legal procedures are expected following the interrogation.

AM