ACC gets fresh allegations against Asif

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has received fresh allegations of Tk11,000 crore in money laundering, corruption and abuse of power against former interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Shojeeb Bhuiyan, including claims that Tk187 crore was paid to secure four key government appointments.

Asif has denied the allegations.

The new allegations, which the commission has decided to incorporate into its ongoing investigation, include Tk 187 crore in alleged transactions linked to the appointments of the Dhaka North City Corporation administrator, the managing director of Dhaka WASA, the chief engineer of LGED and the chief executive officer of Gazipur City Corporation.

According to ACC records, Tk 60 crore was allegedly involved in the appointment of the DNCC administrator, Tk 10 crore in the appointment of Abdus Salam as Dhaka WASA managing director, Tk 52 crore for Md Abdur Rashid Khan as LGED chief engineer and Tk 65 crore for Abdul Latif Khan as Gazipur City Corporation CEO. There are also allegations of Tk 2 crore to Tk 10 crore transactions over the posting of 36 deputy commissioners.

Tanzir Ahmed, assistant director of the ACC's Public Relations Division, disclosed the allegations to journalists at the commission headquarters on Sunday. He explained that the claims were not a separate inquiry but would be examined as part of the existing investigation against Asif.

The allegations further concern commissions of 10 to 30 per cent on development project tenders, irregularities in appointments, transfers and promotions, and tender dealings involving Dhaka South City Corporation, Narayanganj and Cumilla city corporations. Investigators are also examining alleged cost inflation in rural infrastructure and bridge projects, the third phase of the Sayedabad Water Treatment Plant and the Sheikh Russel Mini Stadium project, whose budget was allegedly increased by Tk 1,200 crore.

The allegations also include a Tk 453 crore rural infrastructure project in Asif's home upazila, Muradnagar, and alleged misuse of state funds through helicopter travel and stays at luxury hotels.