Dhaka: The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated legal proceedings against former minister and lawmaker R.A.M Ubaidul Moktadir Chowdhury, accusing him of amassing assets beyond his known income sources and engaging in suspicious financial transactions.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, ACC Director General Md Akhtar Hossain confirmed that deputy assistant director Abu Mohammad Anwarul Masud is leading the investigation into the case involving the former Brahmanbaria-3 constituency lawmaker. During a media briefing at the ACC headquarters, Hossain revealed that the commission has also directed Fahima Khatun, the wife of Moktadir Chowdhury and former director general of the directorate of secondary and higher education, to provide a statement of her assets to the commission.
Hossain detailed that Moktadir Chowdhury possesses assets valued at Tk 2.21 crore, which do not align with his known income sources. Additionally, evidence suggests suspicious transactions totaling approximately Tk 24.89 crore across eight accounts in six banks. The investigation report indicates that while the assets acquired through legitimate sources amount to around Tk 2.98 crore, the total asset value during the investigation reached approximately Tk 5.19 crore, with the latest income tax return recording a net asset value of about Tk 3.44 crore.
Charges against Moktadir Chowdhury are filed under Section 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, and Sections 4(2) and 4(3) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2012. Meanwhile, the investigation also uncovered evidence that Fahima Khatun holds assets worth Tk 50 lakh, inconsistent with her known income sources. The ACC has decided to issue a notice under Section 26(1) of the ACC Act, 2004, requiring her to submit a wealth statement.