ACC sues ex-home minister Asaduzzaman, his family for graft
A total of Tk527.42cr in illegal assets and suspicious transactions linked to them
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed five cases against former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, his wife, their two children, and his assistant private secretary, alleging illegal wealth accumulation, misuse of power, bribery in recruitment, and money laundering.
"Based on investigation, the ACC has identified illegal wealth linked to the ex-home minister, his wife Lutful Tahmina Khan, their son Safi Muddasir Khan, daughter Safia Tasnim Khan, and assistant private secretary Monir Hossain," ACC Director General (Prevention) Akhtar Hossain told journalists today.
The ACC has discovered illegal assets worth Tk60.56 crore belonging to Asaduzzaman Khan and his family.
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Suspicious transactions totalling Tk416.75 crore have been identified across 36 bank accounts registered in their names.
This is the first case to emerge from allegations following the July-August mass uprising and the fall of Sheikh Hasina government on 5 August. While separate cases have been filed against others, Asaduzzaman Khan has been named in all five.
According to case documents, the former minister acquired these assets and funds through bribery and corruption, abusing his power.
ACC officials say Asaduzzaman possesses assets worth Tk16.41 crore that exceed his known income.
Also, suspicious transactions totalling Tk55.92 crore have been recorded in eight of his bank accounts and the commission claims this money has been laundered.
Interestingly, in terms of undisclosed wealth and suspicious transactions, Asaduzzaman is surpassed by his wife and son.
Abnormal transactions amounting to Tk166.66 crore have occurred in his wife's company and her ten bank accounts, while she has reportedly accumulated illegal assets worth Tk15.46 crore.
Safi Mudassir Khan has been associated with suspicious transactions totalling Tk167.81 crore in both business and personal accounts, alongside undisclosed assets valued at Tk19.89 crore acquired in collaboration with his father.
His daughter, Safia Tasnim Khan, has also been linked to undisclosed assets worth Tk8.77 crore, with unusual transactions totalling Tk26.34 crore identified in her nine bank accounts.
Additionally, the investigation uncovered illegal assets worth Tk18.82 crore belonging to Monir Hossain, the former home minister's personal assistant. Also, he has illegal transactions totalling Tk31.31 crore across 12 bank accounts.
In total, illegal assets and suspicious financial transactions amounting to Tk527.42 crore have been associated with Asaduzzaman Khan's family and his personal secretary.
Since the student-led movement that resulted in the downfall of the Sheikh Hasina government, Asaduzzaman Khan has been in hiding.
On 13 August, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit directed all banks to freeze the accounts of Asaduzzaman Khan, his wife, and their son and daughter.
