The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sent a letter to the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) requesting all bank accounts and domestic and international transaction documents of former interim government adviser and National Citizens Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, in connection with allegations of laundering 11 billion taka.
These details were revealed through a letter signed by Md. Zahed Kalam, deputy director and inquiry officer at the ACC head office. A senior ACC official confirmed the matter to a media outlet on Thursday (September 17).
He stated that the ACC has sought information and documents from the BFIU regarding allegations of land purchases, money laundering, and acquisition of assets both at home and abroad by Asif Mahmud in Portugal, Australia, Dubai, Singapore, and Switzerland.
Earlier, while responding to journalists' questions at the ACC head office on Tuesday (September 15), ACC Secretary Saidur Rahman Khan said that if necessary, letters requesting information will be sent to the countries mentioned in the allegations regarding money laundering.
The ACC secretary further stated, 'We have moved to the next phase based on the information found in the inquiry. The inquiry is ongoing. We will conduct our activities according to what is found in the inquiry or investigation. There is no scope to work here arbitrarily.'
When asked about various discussions and criticisms on social media regarding the allegations brought against Asif Mahmud, Saidur Rahman Khan said, 'Many things are being said. You keep watch and see what we are doing. Then you will understand. Whether this is fabricated or whether we are working with any agenda.' He added, 'Subsequent actions have been taken based on the information found in the inquiry. The Commission will make its next decision after receiving the report at the end of the inquiry and investigation.'
In response to a question whether letters will be sent to the respective countries seeking information since there are allegations of money laundering abroad against Asif Mahmud, the ACC secretary said, 'Under the law, Mutual Legal Assistance Requests (MLAR) will be sent if necessary. If there are allegations of money laundering in certain countries, letters will be given seeking information from the concerned countries if required. If substance is found after verifying the truth of the allegations, the ACC will advance to the next stage.'
The ACC secretary stated that the Commission will determine its subsequent activities based on the results of the inquiry and investigation. Meanwhile, important documents related to appointments, promotions, and transfers completed in the Ministry of Youth and Sports during Asif Mahmud's tenure are now in the hands of the ACC.
On September 3, the ACC sent a letter to the Ministry of Youth and Sports summoning these documents. Subsequently, the relevant documents were sent to the ACC by the ministry. Earlier, on September 2, the ACC initiated an inquiry against four individuals, including Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, over allegations of irregularities and corruption in various activities, including appointments, transfers, and procurements in the Ministry of Youth and Sports. A special team led by ACC Deputy Director Md. Zahid Kalam was formed for this inquiry. The following day, as part of the allegation inquiry, the ACC sent a letter to the Ministry of Youth and Sports seeking four types of documents.
Last Sunday (September 13), the ACC separately decided to inquire into several new allegations against Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, including the appointment of administrators in the Dhaka North and South City Corporations, posting of deputy commissioners in various districts, tender control, and laundering money abroad.
According to the ACC's statement, the new allegations were decided to be inquired into after scrutiny and will be examined by attaching them to the previous inquiry.
The new allegations include appointing an administrator in the Dhaka North City Corporation, posting deputy commissioners in various districts, taking commissions from tenders of various city corporations, and laundering a huge amount of money abroad.
