TDS Desk:

Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, a key figure in the previous Awami League government, has allegedly amassed illegal wealth worth hundreds of crores of taka through corruption.

He is accused of taking heaps of bribe money for recruitment in departments like police, Department of Narcotics Control, and Fire Service. Besides, accusations have emerged against him for laundering thousands of crores of taka out of the country.

Reports indicate vast sums of money have been accumulated and laundered in the names of Asaduzzaman Khan, his son Safi Mudassir Khan Joty, other family members, and his associates.

According to multiple sources, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated an investigation into all corruption allegations against the former Home Minister.

ACC Director of Public Relations, Md. Akhtarul Islam, said that the decision to investigate the former home minister was made on 15 August at the ACC’s headquarters.

“An investigative team, led by ACC’s Deputy Director Md Jahangir Alam, is overseeing the inquiry. Both the Police Headquarters and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have also launched their probes into Kamal’s alleged corruption.”

Initial findings reveal substantial evidence of corruption involving Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who is accused of leading a large syndicate engaged in widespread bribery. The syndicate allegedly demanded Tk80 lakh to Tk2 crore for the appointment of district police superintendents and Tk1 crore to Tk3 crore for recruitment, postings, and promotions within the police force.

Kamal and his syndicate members have reportedly gone into hiding since the investigation began.

Crime analysts pointed out that Kamal, elected from the Dhaka-11 constituency in the Ninth National Parliament and the Dhaka-12 constituency in subsequent Parliaments, held the position of Home Minister throughout his tenure. His influence prevented others from his party from assuming control of the ministry.

The ACC’s investigation uncovered over Tk100 crore in assets, including bank accounts, properties, and land in Dhaka, all under the names of Asaduzzaman Khan and his family. The syndicate also allegedly collected crores of taka in cash from departments such as police, Department of Narcotics Control, and Fire Service.

On 1 September, a Dhaka court issued a travel restriction for Kamal, his wife, children, and several associates in response to an ACC request to prevent their possible escape. Investigations into a company named Ramada International, reportedly controlled by Kamal, are also underway, and it is alleged that he benefited from extortion operations in the Karwan Bazar area.

Findings of preliminary investigation

Initial investigations suggest that Asaduzzaman Khan’s corruption syndicate was established with the assistance of a former Home Secretary. Allegations include demands of Tk1 crore to Tk3 crore for appointments of district police superintendents. Other members of the syndicate include former PS Additional Secretary Harun-or-Rashid Biswas, Joint Secretary Dhananjay Kumar Das, and Assistant Personal Secretary Monir Hossain.

The ACC’s preliminary findings reveal that Kamal controlled all bribery and corruption in the ministry and laundered the proceeds abroad. Besides owning hotels and land in Cox’s Bazar, he also maintained considerable assets in the area.

The findings further reveal that in June 2022, former DIG of Police Molla Nazrul Islam secured the position of Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police by paying Tk5 crore to Kamal’s syndicate. Additionally, NGOs seeking No Objection Certificates (NOCs) had to pay up to Tk1 crore to the same syndicate.

Fire Service recruitment scandal

Whenever the Fire Service issued recruitment notices, Kamal’s office reportedly sent a list of preferred candidates. In October 2023, the Fire Service recruited 535 individuals, including firefighters and drivers, after receiving a list of 250 names from the former minister’s office. Each recruit allegedly paid between Tk8 lakh and Tk12 lakh for their appointment.

Accusations of bribery in SI recruitment

Sources from the Police Headquarters have also revealed allegations of a scheme to embezzle crores of taka through Sub-Inspector (SI) and Sergeant recruitment during the Awami League’s tenure. A five-member syndicate, led by the former home minister, allegedly took bribes ranging from Tk20 lakh to Tk25 lakh per candidate.

In response to these mounting allegations, newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Mainul Islam assured that significant reforms are underway to address the damage caused to the police force over the past 15 years.

ACC to investigate Kamal’s office

The ACC has been granted permission to forensically examine the CPU from the former Home Minister’s office as part of their investigation. This follows a court order from Dhaka Senior Special Judge Md As-Sams Joglul Hossain on 4 September.

Evidence of Tk320 crore corruption involving Kamal and family

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has uncovered evidence of illegal wealth accumulation totalling billions of taka in the names of former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and his family.

The investigation revealed overTk200 crore tied to money laundering offences, bringing the total corruption to more than Tk300 crore. Charges are being prepared against Khan, his wife Lutful Tahmina Khan, son Safi Mudassir Khan Joty, daughter Sofia Tasnim Khan, and APS Monir Hossain for corruption and related offences.

Sources indicate that the ACC found at least Tk200 linked to money laundering by these individuals, prompting a case recommendation.

When asked, a senior official from the Police Headquarters, on condition of anonymity, said that a thorough investigation into this corruption is ongoing.

Besides, a CID official said that they are investigating the former Home Minister and his close associates regarding the illegal transfer of funds abroad.