Online Desk:

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated a large-scale inquiry into allegations of extensive financial irregularities against former adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan.

The charges involve illegal recruitment and posting trade, commission-taking in tenders and development projects, and laundering thousands of crores of takas abroad to purchase luxury villas and invest in businesses.

According to ACC sources cited by the Daily Jugantor, the cumulative monetary value of the financial irregularities detailed in the complaints stands at approximately Tk13,000 crore.

Tk 11,000 Crore Money Laundering Allegations:

The largest component of the complaints involves the alleged laundering of TK11,000 crore to four foreign destinations:

Dubai: Tk 4,500 crore

Singapore: Tk 3,000 crore

Australia: Tk 2,000 crore

Switzerland: Tk 1,500 crore

The complaints state that these funds were utilized to buy luxury villas, acquire land in Portugal, invest in Dubai’s Green Group, and deposit money into Swiss bank accounts. It is further alleged that two of his brothers-in-law and a nephew facilitated the cross-border transfers.

Irregularities in Postings, Recruitment, and Tenders:

The remaining sum under investigation pertains to alleged transactions surrounding appointments, project allocations, and tender operations:

DC Postings: Allegations suggest payments ranging from TK2 crore to TK10 crore per individual for the posting of 36 Deputy Commissioners (DCs), representing a potential transaction volume between Tk72 crore and TK360 crore.

City Corporations & WASA Appointments: The complaints allege a TK60 crore transaction regarding the appointment of the administrator for Dhaka North City Corporation, a TK10 crore bribe for appointing the Managing Director of Dhaka WASA, TK52 crore for appointing the former Chief Engineer of LGED, and TK65 crore for appointing the CEO of Gazipur City Corporation.

Tender Commissions: Allegations state that 10% to 30% commissions were taken from various development project tenders during his tenure at the Local Government Ministry, alongside involvement in tender trade across the Dhaka South, Narayanganj, and Gazipur city corporations.

Project Cost Escalations:

The application submitted to the ACC highlights unnatural cost inflations in major infrastructure undertakings:

A cost increase of TK1,200 crore in the Sheikh Russel Mini Stadium project.

Cost escalation in Phase 3 of the Dhaka WASA Saidabad Water Treatment Plant project.

Questionable allocation and fund withdrawal process regarding a TK453 crore rural infrastructure project in Muradnagar, his home upazila.

Allegations Against Relatives and Aides:

The ACC is also looking into allegations involving his family and personal staffs:

Father and APS: His father, Billal Hossain, and Assistant Private Secretary (APS), Moazzem Hossain, are accused of controlling contractor syndicates and exerting influence over local administration to collect funds.

Personal Officer (PO): His PO, Mahfuzul Alam Bhuiyan, faces allegations of power abuse and lobbying in bribe transactions.

Misuse of State Resources & Security Breaches: The complaints note the wastage of public funds through distributing blankets using helicopters, carrying a firearm-loaded bag inside an airport, and spending high amounts on luxury flats, vehicles, and five-star hotel visits.

Merging with Previous Inquiries:

On September 2, the ACC had already launched an investigation against Asif Mahmud and three senior ministry officials—Secretary Md. Mahbub-ul-Alam, Joint Secretary Sheikh Mohammad Zobayed Hossain, and Deputy Secretary Md. Masum Ahmed.

That initial probe centered on allegations of taking TK76 lakh to cancel and reassign responsibilities for 38 Upazila Youth Development Officers, TK1.5 crore for promoting 150 Assistant Officers, and TK2 crore for favorable post-promotion placements, alongside procurement syndication within the Department of Youth Development.

ACC officials confirmed that the new, broader set of allegations has been merged with the ongoing investigation, which is currently being conducted by a four-member inquiry team. The commission stated that all allegations will be thoroughly verified through field-level investigation.