The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has received hundreds of written complaints against the advisors of the former interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
The ACC's scrutiny committee has categorised the complaints involving abuse of power, embezzlement, bribery, tax evasion, and money laundering.
No formal legal decisions can currently be taken due to the vacancy in the commission's leadership. Final actions regarding investigations and prosecutions will be taken after the appointment of a new commission.
Meanwhile, the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) in a recent report has stated that rampant corruption and bribery in public services took place during the interim government's tenure compared to the previous Awami League administration.
Following the release of the report, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday demanded in parliament an investigation by the ACC.
In this regard, ACC Deputy Director (Public Relations) Aktarul Islam told Khaborer Kagoj on Monday that the complaints received by the ACC are finalised by the scrutiny committee to check whether they fall under the ACC's schedule and are cognizable. The Commission then decides to initiate an inquiry based on the recommendations of the scrutiny committee.
According to the sources at ACC, most of the complaints have been filed against former chief adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, advisers Asif Nazrul, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Noorjahan Begum, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan and Mahfuj Alam. Majority of the complainants have requested the ACC not to disclose their names.
In addition, according to the law, the ACC strictly keeps the identity of the complainant confidential. Section 28(B) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004 states that the name, address, or identity of any informant cannot be disclosed and cannot be accepted as evidence in any civil or criminal court.
A detailed description has been given in one of the complaints against Dr Muhammad Yunus explaining how former chief adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus embezzled funds of Grameen Kalyan and Grameen Telecom through the creation of a personal trust in his name.
The complaint alleges that Dr. Yunus formed a trust in his own name to embezzle funds from Grameen Kalyan and Grameen Telecom, thereby evading a large amount of income tax. The sole duty of the trust is to look after the affairs of Dr Muhammad Yunus' family. Dr Yunus is evading huge amount of income taxes through it. Some former employees of Grameen Telecom submitted the complaint to the ACC.
Besides, Dr Muhammad Yunus shiphoned off huge amount of money to different countries in various ways when he was the chief adviser of the interim government.
The ACC has received more than 10 complaints of corruption and money laundering against former Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul. These involves transfer and promotion of judges and sub-registrars at lower courts as well as receiving bribes through the issuance of bails.
At least eight complaints have been submitted against former Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan. These include embezzlement of money from multiple projects of the Department of Environment, misappropriating and illegally occupying others' property through forgery, and extorting money from different businessmen under the pretext of environment pollution.
The ACC receives a written complaint against former adviser for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan alleging embezzlement of a vast sum of money from the Summit Group and the acceptance of bribes from private power providing companies.
Multiple complaints of tender manipulation, hospital procurement irregularities, and corruption have been submitted to the ACC against former Health Advisor Nurjahan Begum.
Complaints against former Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan are that he has accumulated and laundered minimum Tk 1,000 crore which he earned through corruption and bribes, bitcoin transactions.
The ACC has received the complaints of bribes against former Information Advisor Mahfuz Alam through the issuance of TV channel licenses.
*This report, originally published in the Khaborer Kagoj print and online edition, has been rewritten in English*
