NN ONLINE:
Motazzarul Islam Mithu, widely linked to corruption allegations in the health sector during the Awami League government, has been arrested. Dhaka Metropolitan DB Police conducted a raid in Gulshan, Dhaka, and detained him on Thursday, 11 September.
Muhammad Talebur Rahman, Deputy Police Commissioner (Media) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said Mithu was captured from a Gulshan residence during a targeted operation after being in hiding for some time.
Mithu faces accusations of embezzling crores of taka through irregularities, tender fraud, and misappropriation of funds across various health-sector projects. He has reportedly been under heightened scrutiny by law enforcement since the government change, with the DB identifying him for long as a major figure in health-sector corruption.
Authorities also link him to embezzlement and money laundering via a syndicate within the health sector. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a case on Wednesday accusing him of acquiring illegal assets worth Tk 75 crore.
The ACC’s investigation report notes that Mithu, owner of Lexicon Merchandise and Technocrat, gained immovable assets valued at Tk 18.40 crore through the purchase and lease of agricultural land, plots, flats, and houses.
Movable assets—including shares and stakes in various companies, vehicles, bank balances, gold jewelry, furniture, and electronics—totaled Tk 57.44 crore. Combined, his movable and immovable assets amount to Tk 75.85 crore.
Additionally, family expenditures under Mithu’s name are estimated at Tk 71.45 crore, bringing total asset and expenditure figures to around Tk 147.30 crore. The ACC stated that his lawful and verifiable income—from business operations, rent, agricultural revenue, salaries and allowances, farm shares, bank interest, security deposits, and possible foreign remittances—amounted to Tk 71.50 crore. The Anti-Corruption Commission has filed a case against Mithu of amassing illegal wealth worth Tk 750 million.
Deputy Commissioner of DB (Media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Muhammad Talebur Rahman, confirmed this today.
