Recently promoted Customs and VAT Assistant Commissioner Russell Al Mamun has been accused of amassing assets worth hundreds of crores of taka through bribery, abuse of power, revenue manipulation and other irregularities, according to a complaint filed with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
A member of the 11th batch of the Customs cadre, Russell allegedly built a network of illicit dealings while serving in several sensitive posts under the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the complaint says.
The written complaint, submitted to the ACC recently, contains specific allegations and supporting information about his alleged involvement in revenue evasion, extortion and the accumulation of undeclared assets.
According to the complaint and information gathered from sources familiar with the allegations, Russell allegedly became involved in various syndicates from the early stages of his career, using his positions to facilitate revenue evasion and extract illegal payments from businesses.
The allegations have reportedly raised concerns among honest officials and employees within the revenue administration, particularly over the extent of the wealth allegedly accumulated by a government employee through illicit means.
Alleged syndicate in Bond Commissionerate
Some of the most serious allegations relate to Russell's tenure at the then undivided Customs Bond Commissionerate between 2018 and 2021.
According to the complaint, he allegedly extracted between Tk70 crore and Tk80 crore during the three-year period by exploiting loopholes in the bonded-warehouse system and using preventive teams to put pressure on businesses.
He allegedly conducted nighttime inspections and patrols, ostensibly to prevent revenue evasion, but subsequently provided clearances in exchange for financial benefits, the complaint said.
The complaint also alleges that businesses were subjected to both large one-time payments and regular monthly payments as a condition for obtaining favourable treatment.
Alleged links with former NBR commissioner
The complaint names a former NBR member who served as commissioner of the Bond Commissionerate at the time as a key figure in the alleged network.
Sources said Russell developed close ties with the former commissioner while serving at Mongla Customs House and allegedly became his key financial intermediary.
He was later transferred to the Dhaka Bond Commissionerate in 2018 when the former commissioner took charge there. Russell was subsequently assigned to sensitive branches, including headquarters and the preventive wing, according to the complaint.
He later allegedly secured another posting at the Dhaka North Bond Commissionerate after serving in the Khulna Appeals division.
During his tenure at the North Bond Commissionerate, he allegedly collected large sums from bonded warehouses in Gulshan and Tongi by intimidating businesses.
The complaint claims that around Tk1 crore was collected monthly from warehouses in Gulshan, while another Tk50-60 lakh was allegedly collected from the Tongi circle.
These allegations could not be independently verified.
Tk35 lakh audit deal allegedly used to suppress revenue evasion
One of the more recent allegations concerns an audit of Hossain Dyeing, a company owned by Anwar Group.
According to the complaint, Russell allegedly entered into an undisclosed agreement worth Tk35 lakh in connection with the audit. Instead of identifying possible revenue evasion through the prescribed audit process, he allegedly approved the file without proper examination in exchange for a bribe.
Following a written complaint to the NBR, an independent investigation committee was reportedly formed.
The subsequent investigation allegedly found that the company had evaded around Tk1 crore in revenue, which the complaint claims had been overlooked because of Russell's intervention.
Despite the alleged findings, no departmental disciplinary action was taken against him, according to the complaint.
Allegations at Kamalapur ICD
Similar allegations have also been raised over Russell's tenure at the Customs House at Kamalapur Inland Container Depot (ICD).
The complaint alleges that importers and clearing and forwarding (C&F) agents were pressured into paying Tk10-15 lakh a month in exchange for the release of imported goods.
Those who refused to pay were allegedly threatened with fabricated cases or delays in releasing their consignments, the complaint said.
Several importers reportedly submitted written complaints to the then commissioner and senior NBR officials, but no effective action was allegedly taken.
Alleged wealth far beyond declared assets
The complaint further alleges that Russell invested money allegedly earned through bribery and corruption in real estate and other assets.
Although his tax returns reportedly show limited assets, the complaint claims that his actual holdings are substantially larger and that some properties were acquired in the names of his parents, siblings and other relatives.
In his native Gafargaon of Mymensingh, where the family once lived in a modest tin-roofed house, he allegedly built a lavish residence at a cost of several crores of taka and acquired hundreds of decimals of land.
The complaint also alleges that he owns multiple plots, flats and vehicles in affluent areas of Dhaka.
Family dispute and criminal case
Russell has also faced allegations concerning his personal life.
According to the complaint, marital disputes arose amid allegations of physical and mental abuse. His wife subsequently filed a criminal case against him alleging violence against women and dowry demands.
The case is reportedly still pending. The complaint alleges that Russell has continued to perform his official duties despite the case.
Attempts were made to obtain comments from Russell Al Mamun and several NBR officials regarding the allegations, but no official response was available immediately.
An ACC source, however, said the commission was in the process of initiating a preliminary inquiry based on the written complaint.
The allegations remain subject to investigation and verification by the competent authorities.