Adani deal probe links Kaykaus

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has recommended adding fresh allegations of illicit wealth against Ahmed Kaykaus to its ongoing inquiry into the Adani power deal.

Kaykaus, a former principal secretary to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former senior secretary of the Power Division, is accused of amassing illegal wealth through corruption, irregularities and abuse of power, ACC Deputy Director (Public Relations) Md Aktarul Islam said at a briefing on Monday.

He said, “The commission has recommended adding the allegation to the ongoing inquiry into irregularities and corruption in the power purchase agreement between Adani Power and the Bangladesh government.”
Kaykaus was power secretary when the agreement was signed.

The ACC began examining the deal in April 2025 over allegations that customs and tax exemptions were included while bypassing the National Board of Revenue (NBR), costing the government around Tk 45 billion in revenue.

The NBR had said its investigation found evidence of around $400 million in customs evasion linked to Adani power imports.

The ACC had sought certified copies of all documents related to the deal from the Bangladesh Power Development Board, along with details of officials involved and any departmental inquiry reports.

The BPDB signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with Adani Power Jharkhand Ltd in November 2017 for 1,496MW net supply from its 1,600MW Godda plant.

Kaykaus became principal secretary to the prime minister on Dec 29, 2019, after serving as power secretary since 2017.

Fresh Allegations against Former MP Nasim
The ACC has recommended adding fresh allegations against former Feni-1 MP Alauddin Ahmed Chowdhury Nasim to an ongoing investigation, including land grabbing, recruitment and party-post trading through abuse of power.

The allegations also include embezzlement, laundering tens of billions of taka abroad, and acquiring assets inconsistent with lawful income in his and his family members’ names.

The commission recommended adding them to a case being investigated by its Noakhali integrated district office.

The ACC filed a case against Nasim on Mar 19, 2025, alleging Tk 7.45 billion in unexplained assets.

A separate case against his wife Jahanara Arzu alleged Tk 1.25 billion in such assets.

Probe into DNCC Walkie-Talkie Purchase
The ACC has decided to investigate alleged waste of public funds through irregularities and corruption in Dhaka North City Corporation’s purchase of walkie-talkies.

It appointed an investigating officer and a supervising officer.

The allegation says a local company lacking the required experience won the contract using certification from a Chinese company in its tender.

The walkie-talkies allegedly cost several times more than those bought by other government agencies.

The ACC said some DNCC employees allegedly acted with dishonest intent to benefit personally.

On Aug 17, 2025, an ACC team visited DNCC, questioned officials and collected procurement documents.

An initial review reportedly found the prices several times higher than those paid by other government agencies.�"bdnews24