ACC seeks freeze on Kazi Zafarullah, family assets

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has approved an application seeking a court order to freeze assets of Tk 155,142,708 and USD 116,500 held in names of former Awami League (AL) Presidium member Kazi Zafarullah and his family members.

ACC Assistant Director (Public Relations) Tanzir Ahmed disclosed the information on Sunday.

According to the ACC, its investigation uncovered bank deposits and fixed deposit receipts (FDRs) in the names of Kazi Zafarullah, his wife Nilufar Zafarullah, their sons Kazi Omar Zafar and Kazi Raihan Zafar, and daughter Kazi Anska Mehrin Zafar. The ACC is examining the sources and legality of the assets.

Commission documents show that Kazi Zafarullah holds Tk 284,901,730 in Meghna Bank, Tk 186,451,717 in Midland Bank and Tk 70,528,405 in Premier Bank, totalling Tk 541,881,852.

His wife, Nilufar Zafarullah, has Tk 186,485,017 in Midland Bank and Tk 81,948,578 in Premier Bank, amounting to Tk 268,433,595.

Their son Kazi Omar Zafar holds Tk 71,225,901 in Meghna Bank, Tk 96,105,011 in Midland Bank and Tk 135,669,044 in Premier Bank. The total stands at Tk 302,999,956.

Another son, Kazi Raihan Zafar, has Tk 124,211,404 in Meghna Bank and Tk 109,574,845 in Premier Bank. He also holds USD 116,500. His assets total Tk 233,786,249, apart from the dollar holdings.

Their daughter, Kazi Anska Mehrin Zafar, holds Tk 18,449,130 in Meghna Bank, Tk 89,937,273 in Midland Bank and Tk 209,294,302 in Premier Bank, totalling Tk 317,680,705.

The ACC is also examining assets, including FDRs and deposits maintained with various banks, including the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) in Banani, to establish their source and legitimacy.

The ACC considers that there is a risk of loss to the state if the assets are transferred, relocated or otherwise alienated during the investigation. It has, therefore, approved an application before the competent court seeking orders to freeze the assets.

ACC Assistant Director Md Shahidur Rahman is conducting the investigation.