Staff Reporter :
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) this week sought former National Board of Revenue official Matiur Rahman’s asset statement from the revenue board, according to officials familiar with the matter.
The ACC’s move comes as the revenue board’s Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) has also launched an investigation against Matiur, who allegedly amassed massive wealth through corruption.
The ACC this week has asked the NBR to submit the statement by June 30, a senior NBR official said on condition of anonymity.
“The statement will be sent to the ACC by next Sunday,” said the official.
Meanwhile, the NBR’s intelligence unit is also looking into the income, expenditures, and assets shown in Matiur’s income tax file, an NBR official said on condition of anonymity.
“We are unofficially looking into his assets as stated in his tax filings. We will also inquire about his family members, but Matiur Rahman is the most important subject to us,” the official said, adding that the board will not rush the investigation.
Matiur recently came to the limelight after his son from his second marriage attempted to purchase a goat for Tk15 lakh ahead of Eid-ul-Adha.
Matiur Rahman was a joint commissioner of Chattogram Custom House during the caretaker government regime. The then army chief also requested the NBR chairman change one of his transfer orders at that time, according to reports.
The ACC launched a probe against the former NBR official on June 4. A three-member team is working on the investigation.
From his birthplace in Barishal to Dhaka, Gazipur, Narsingdi, and Feni, extensive properties have been found linked to Matiur.
The properties include land, apartments, factories, luxurious houses, and resorts. While some are registered under Matiur Rahman’s name, a significant portion is held in the names of his first wife, Laila Kanis Lucky, his son, daughter, and various relatives.
The highlight of Matiur’s reported assets appears to be Wonder Park, an amusement park in Narsingdi’s Raipur upazila linked to his first wife.
The park occupies around 15 hectares of land.
Additionally, Apon Bhuban Picnic and Shooting Spot, a sprawling 60-hectare resort reportedly co-owned by Matiur and his wife, boasts various amenities and has been used for filming locations.
Matiur is now attached to the Internal Resources Division (IRD) of the finance ministry after being removed as the president of the NBR Customs, Excise, and VAT Appellate Tribunal.
However, according to finance ministry sources, his joining letter to IRD has been rejected, and he is being considered a fugitive as his whereabouts remain unknown.
Currently under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for allegedly possessing undisclosed assets, he had constructed two luxurious duplex houses—one for his first wife and another for his second wife’s mother.
Additionally, he also has investments in the capital market, which served as a significant source of his wealth accumulation.