ACC drive against ex-minister Mahbub launched

Staff Reporter :A team of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Tuesday launched a drive to unearth whether former State Minister for Water Resources Mahbubur Rahman earned wealth and properties beyond his means, ACC sources said. ACC Deputy Director Khairul Huda began his work from the minister’s village home in Patukhali district. Mahbubur Rahman became MP unopposed from Patukhali-4 Constituency in the 10th parliamentary polls held on January 5.Sources said that the statements of his movable and unmovable wealth and properties, his affidavit to the Election Commission, income tax returns and land related documents would be collected in the interest of the investigation. Besides, the ACC may summon any one close to him for interrogation.It is alleged the MP has so far been owner of 865 acres of land whereas he had 20 acres only five years ago. The value of his properties had been shown as Tk 5, 25,66,072 in the affidavit submitted during the 10th parliamentary election and Tk 36,33,112 during the 9th parliamentary election. The value of the properties of his wife had been shown as Tk 1,26,71,000 in 2013 and Tk 5, 00,000 in 2008 respectively.In 2008, his annual income was Tk 2,15,000 form a part time business. But now he earns Tk 1,50,00,000 from the fishery cultivation and the fish export. Besides, he can earn Tk 20,34,700 from other means and his dependents earn Tk 95,000 income annually.An officer of the commission seeking anonymity said that the commission would enquire the wealth of his wife’s relatives to dig out if they had earned wealth dishonestly.