The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is preparing to seek a travel ban against Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, a former adviser to the interim government and spokesperson for the National Citizen Party (NCP).
The move is being taken to prevent the ongoing investigations against him from being obstructed, a senior ACC official involved in the investigation told the Daily Sun.
The official said several allegations against Asif Mahmud are currently under investigation. The ACC is concerned that he may leave the country while the investigations are ongoing, potentially disrupting the proceedings. The commission has therefore decided to apply to the relevant authorities for a travel ban.
According to ACC sources, the allegations against Asif Mahmud include money laundering abroad, financial transactions involving appointments and postings to government positions, tender manipulation, and irregularities in various development projects. The ACC is examining information and evidence related to the allegations, along with relevant individuals and documents.
Tanjir Ahmed, public relations officer of ACC, told Daily Sun last Sunday that the new allegations received against Asif Mahmud would be incorporated into the investigation already underway.
According to the allegations, Tk4,500 crore was transferred to Dubai, Tk3,000 crore to Singapore, Tk2,000 crore to Australia and Tk1,500 crore to Switzerland. The money was allegedly used to purchase villas abroad and invest in various businesses. There are also allegations that land was purchased in Portugal, investments were made in Dubai’s Green Group, and money was deposited in a Swiss bank.
Allegations of financial transactions in appointments and postings
In addition to allegations of money laundering abroad, Asif Mahmud has also been accused of financial transactions involving appointments, transfers and postings to government positions.
According to ACC information, there are allegations that approximately Tk60 crore was paid in connection with the appointment of the administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation, while Tk2–10 crore was allegedly paid for the posting of each of 36 deputy commissioners across the country.
There are also allegations of tender manipulation at Dhaka South City Corporation and of taking commissions amounting to 10–30% from development-project tenders while he was in charge of the Local Government Ministry. He has also been accused of involvement in tenders at Narayanganj and Cumilla city corporations.
Allegations of irregularities in projects
There are also allegations of embezzlement through inflated costs in rural infrastructure development and bridge-construction projects under the Local Government Ministry.
The allegations include an unusually large increase in the cost of the third phase of the Sayedabad Water Treatment Plant project of Dhaka WASA and the alleged misappropriation of funds by increasing expenditure on the Mini Stadium Project by Tk1,200 crore.
According to ACC information, there are further allegations that Abdus Salam was appointed managing director of Dhaka WASA in exchange for Tk10 crore and that former LGED chief engineer Md Abdur Rashid Khan was appointed in exchange for Tk52 crore in bribes. Abdul Latif Khan is also alleged to have been appointed chief executive officer of Gazipur City Corporation in exchange for Tk65 crore.
Allegations Involving the Ministry of Youth and Sports
The ACC has also received allegations of financial transactions involving appointments, transfers and promotions at the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The allegations include collecting Tk76 lakh for the postings of 38 upazila youth development officers, Tk1.05 crore for the promotions of 150 assistant upazila youth development officers, and an additional approximately Tk2 crore for postings to preferred locations following their promotions.
The ACC’s allegations also implicate Asif Mahmud’s father, Billal Hossain, and his assistant private secretary (APS), Moazzem Hossain, in controlling a syndicate of contractors and collecting money by exerting influence over the local administration. His personal officer (PO), Mahfuzul Alam Bhuiyan, has also been accused of lobbying for bribery transactions and abusing his authority.
Earlier, on 2 September, the ACC began an investigation against four people, including Asif Mahmud, over various allegations of irregularities and corruption at the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The commission later said that the new allegations would also be incorporated into that investigation.
However, Asif Mahmud has denied the allegations against him as well as the ACC’s statements. At a press conference last Wednesday, he demanded that the ACC withdraw its statement concerning the alleged “preliminary truth” of the accusations against him. He also warned that he would take legal action if the statement was not withdrawn within 24 hours.
Subsequently, Supreme Court lawyer Muhammad Rafiqul Islam Jony sent a legal notice on behalf of Asif Mahmud to ACC Public Relations Officer and Deputy Director Akhtarul Islam. The notice demanded the withdrawal of the ACC’s statement.
In a post on his Facebook account last Friday, Asif Mahmud claimed that a “media trial” had begun against him because of the ACC’s statements before the outcome of any investigation or the publication of specific evidence.
He also claimed that this had created the impression that the allegations had already been proven, thereby damaging his personal and political reputation.
