Staff Correspondent:

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has uncovered documents detailing assets worth hundreds of crores of taka linked to former Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Haque. Acting on confidential information, the ACC conducted a raid at a relative’s residence and seized these documents. Among them were the original ownership deeds for a luxurious house in Bonn, Germany, and another in Toronto, Canada.

The ACC officials claim that the confiscated documents provide evidence of assets worth millions. Shahidul allegedly attempted to conceal these crucial documents by moving them between locations through his relatives.

Shahidul was arrested on 3 September last year from Uttara, Dhaka. Following his arrest, he was shown as detained in connection with multiple murder cases filed at various police stations. He was also placed on remand multiple times as per court orders.

On 18 February this year, a five-member ACC team, led by Assistant Director Rakibul Hayat, conducted a raid at a house in Mirpur-12, Dhaka. Reports suggest that Shahidul hid these crucial documents at a relative’s house to evade detection by the ACC, National Board of Revenue (NBR), and intelligence agencies. The raid took place at a house on Road No. 4, C-Block, Mirpur-12, where documents were seized from the residence of Niger Sultana, a relative of Shahidul’s younger sister.

Regarding the operation, ACC’s Deputy Director (Public Relations) Akhtarul Islam stated that 48 pieces of evidence, comprising 38 different types of documents, were found in two sacks. These include ownership deeds of valuable properties, confidential agreements, power of attorney documents, bonds, fixed deposit receipts (FDRs), memorandum of association papers, offer letters, and bank account details.

An ACC source revealed that the analysis of these documents indicates that multiple fixed deposits and bank accounts were opened in the name of Majid-Zarina Foundation, established under the names of Shahidul Haque’s parents. Several crores of taka were found deposited in Farmers Bank, Mercantile Bank, and First Security Islami Bank under the names of Shahidul Haque and his family members.

Furthermore, property ownership deeds were found for extensive assets in Gulshan, Bhatara, Rupganj (Narayanganj), Sonargaon, Keraniganj, Purbachal, and Gazipur. The foundation had FDRs worth Tk 5.5 crore in three branches of First Security Islami Bank, Tk 4.7 crore in eight accounts of Farmers Bank, and Tk 2.5 crore in four accounts of Mercantile Bank—totaling Tk 12.75 crore. Additionally, over 50 savings accounts and FDRs were registered under the foundation’s name in various banks.

Sources also revealed that numerous property deeds and sub-registry office records were found in the two sacks. These included seven separate deeds from Gulshan Sub-Registry Office, five from Sadar Sub-Registry Office in Dhaka, two from Uttara, two from Keraniganj, two from Mohammadpur, and ten from Rupganj and Fatullah (Narayanganj).

Shahidul Haque joined the Bangladesh Police in 1986 as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). He served as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the Police Headquarters, Rajshahi Range, and Chattogram Range.