ACC seeks details of Asif’s assets
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sought information on the domestic and overseas assets, bank accounts and alleged money laundering of former adviser to the interim government Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan and his wife, Ayesha Akter Panna.
The commission has sent a letter to the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) in this regard.
The letter, signed by ACC Deputy Director Md Zahid Kalam, was sent on Thursday, It requested the BFIU to provide information on the movable and immovable assets of Asif Mahmud, his wife and their associated individuals, organisations or companies in Bangladesh and abroad, along with documents related to alleged money laundering.
According to the ACC, its records contain allegations against Asif Mahmud involving acquisition of illegal assets, formation of companies in Bangladesh, obtaining foreign citizenship, money laundering and other irregularities and corruption.
The information has been sought from the BFIU as part of an inquiry into these allegations.
The ACC letter said it needs details of accounts held by the accused and his associated individuals, organisations or companies with various banks and non-bank financial institutions in Bangladesh.
The requested information includes bank accounts, savings and current accounts, debit and credit cards, lockers, loans, savings certificates, fixed deposits (FDRs), deposit pension schemes (DPSs) and other financial products.
The ACC also asked for the related transaction details and records to be collected and reviewed.
The letter further requested steps to verify, through financial intelligence units or similar agencies in the respective countries, whether Asif Mahmud or his associated individuals, organisations or companies have any investments, bank accounts or assets abroad.
Earlier, the ACC launched an inquiry against Asif Mahmud and three others over allegations of irregularities in the recruitment, promotion and transfer of officials and employees while he was in charge of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
As part of the inquiry, the commission also sought records relating to recruitment, promotion and transfer of officials and employees during his tenure.
The ACC said it decided to launch the inquiry after finding the allegations against Asif Mahmud worthy of consideration for investigation following initial verification.
Later, on 13September, the ACC decided to investigate additional allegations against him.
The allegations include irregularities in recruitment at Dhaka North and South city corporations, postings of deputy commissioners in different districts, tender processes, development projects under the Ministry of Local Government, bribery and money laundering.
