ACC finds Tk304cr, $263K suspicious deposits in Taposh's accounts

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has uncovered suspicious deposits totaling Tk304.33 crore and $263,736 in 27 bank accounts belonging to former Dhaka South City Corporation mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh.

"These deposits, made between 22 September 2013 and 19 August 2024, are inconsistent with his known sources of income," said ACC Director General (Prevention) Md Akhtar Hossain during a press briefing today.

Additionally, the watchdog has filed a case against Taposh – a close relative of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina – for allegedly acquiring assets worth Tk73.19 crore beyond his known income.

Akhtar revealed that out of the total deposits, Tk234.83 crore and $253,791 were withdrawn from Taposh's accounts.

The case statement indicates that Taposh has acquired assets worth Tk118.70 crore, including Tk4.81 crore in immovable assets and Tk113.88 crore in movable assets.

From FY07 to FY24, his family and personal expenses amounted to Tk51.35 crore, bringing the total value of his acquired assets to Tk170.05 crore. However, his income tax records show a declared income of Tk192.10 crore across various sectors.

In his tax returns, Taposh reported earning Tk95.24 crore from fish farming between FY13 and FY15. In July 2011, he leased 47.57 acres of land, including 11 ponds, in Tungipara, Gopalganj, for three years.

A year later, in July 2012, he subleased three of these ponds to his wife, Afrin Taposh, for two years.

The ACC investigation revealed that only three ponds existed on the leased land, with the remaining area covered by trees and houses. Officials found no evidence of fish farming during their inquiry. The ACC confirmed that Taposh acquired these assets between 2009 and August 2024.

Both Taposh and his wife, Afrin Taposh, have been charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

According to the case statement, Afrin, with her husband's assistance, acquired assets worth Tk6.40 crore through illegal means, inconsistent with her known income sources.

Additionally, Tk39.82 crore and $20,259 were deposited into her nine bank accounts, from which Tk31.07 crore and $193,704 were withdrawn.

On 7 October last year, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) directed banks to freeze all accounts belonging to Taposh, his wife Afrin Taposh, and their younger son, Fazle Nashwan.

The account freezes came in the wake of Sheikh Hasina's resignation and subsequent flight to India on 5 August amid a student-led mass uprising.

Since the Awami League government's ouster, bank accounts belonging to several former ministers, lawmakers, AL leaders, and businesspeople associated with the ruling party have been frozen.

On 3 August, two days before the fall of the Awami League government, Taposh was reportedly spotted on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight to Singapore. A photo of him on the flight went viral on social media.