ACC finds Tk1,719cr unusual transaction in accounts of Azam, Maleque, their families

Unusual transaction

• Tk907.66cr in accounts of Mirza Azam, his wife
• Tk811.82cr in accounts of Zahid Maleque, his son
• Tk54.39cr in accounts of Palak, his wife

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has identified unusual transactions totalling Tk1,719 crore in the bank accounts of ex-health minister Zahid Maleque, his son Rahat Maleque, former minister Mirza Azam, and his wife Dewan Aleya. 

It also found suspicious transactions of Tk54 crore in the accounts of former minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak and his wife Arifa Jesmin.

The anti-graft watchdog yesterday filed six separate cases against former health minister Zahid Maleque, his son Rahat Maleque, former state minister for post, telecommunication and information technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak and his wife, and former textile and jute minister Mirza Azam and his wife on charges of amassing illegal wealth worth Tk155 crore.

The cases were filed at ACC's Dhaka Integrated District Office, ACC Director General (Prevention) Akhtar Hossain told TBS.

The commission also imposed a travel ban yesterday on nine former Awami League ministers and MPs, along with their families, totalling 17 individuals, and ordered the freezing and seizure of assets belonging to several others.

According to ACC sources, Mirza Azam, a former MP for Jamalpur-3, had unusual transactions totaling Tk725.70 crore across 60 bank accounts under the names of the former minister, his family members, and various companies or institutions associated with his interests. 

During the same period, his wife Dewan Aleya had unusual transactions totalling Tk181.95 crore across 20 accounts linked to her and her interests. 

Zahid Maleque had Tk143.10 crore in 34 accounts, and his son Rahat Maleque had Tk668.71 crore in his account. Palak had Tk32.04 crore in 25 bank accounts, while his wife Arifa Jesmin had suspicious transactions of Tk22.34 crore in 31 accounts.

In these cases, Zahid Maleque faces allegations of acquiring illegal assets worth Tk61.43 crore, while his son Rahat Maleque faces charges of acquiring Tk11.49 crore. 

Palak is accused of acquiring Tk8.73 crore, and his wife Arifa Jesmin faces allegations of acquiring Tk9.59 crore. 

Mirza Azam faces allegations of acquiring Tk39.77 crore, and his wife Dewan Aleya faces allegations of acquiring Tk23.77 crore in illegal assets.

ACC Director General (Prevention) Akhtar Hossain said the accused individuals acquired these assets by abusing their power during their tenure, with no satisfactory explanation for the transactions. 

"In the preliminary investigation, the ACC found evidence of illegal asset acquisition and unusual transactions in their bank accounts. Investigations will continue, and if further illegal assets are found, they will be taken into account," he added.

Travel ban on 9 ex-MPs, their families

After ACC Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen assumed office on Wednesday, the commission imposed a travel ban on nine former ministers and MPs from the Awami League, along with their families, on Thursday.

The list includes former railway minister Mujibul Haque, former state minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, MPs Bahar Uddin Bahar, Amir Hossain Amu, Alauddin Ahmed Chowdhury Nasim, Nurunnabi Chowdhury Shaon, Md Abu Jahir, HM Ibrahim, and Nur Uddin Chowdhury Noyon. 

In total, 17 people, including family members, have been banned from leaving the country.

Meanwhile, the travel ban on former Samabaya Bank chairman Mohiuddin Ahmed, former MP Shariful Islam Jinnah and his wife Mohmina Akter, and Liakat Ali Laky, along with 27 others, has been extended.

Freezing of bank accounts, seizure of assets

The ACC DG Akhtar Hossain also said ACC yesterday ordered the freezing and seizure of assets belonging to Monir Hossain, the former APS to ex-home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and his wife; former MPs Solaiman Haque Joarder Selun; Mostafizur Rahman and his wife; Abdus Sobhan Miah Golap; ex-minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel; and directors of the National Bank.