Dhaka: The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has approved the initiation of a regular case against Dr. Ehsanul Kabir, the former Managing Director of Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL), along with six others, for alleged abuse of power and fraudulent activities.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Deputy Director and Public Relations Officer of ACC, Aktarul Islam, stated that the accusations involve the illegal appointment of five officials on a contractual basis without the necessary approval from the EDCL Board of Directors. This unauthorized action reportedly led to financial losses exceeding Tk 36 crore for the state-owned company, attributed to collusion and misuse of authority.
The other individuals implicated in the case include Muhammad Khurshid Alam, former Finance Director and Company Secretary; Syed Bahir Uddin Jamal, former General Manager (Procurement); Md Shawkat Ali, former Deputy General Manager (Procurement); A. Kaiyum Khan, former Deputy General Manager (Store); and Bikash Kumar Sarkar, former Manager (Production) of EDCL. An investigation team has been assembled by the ACC, led by Assistant Director Nurul Islam, with Sub-Assistant Director A.M. Taher as a member, to delve into the specifics of these allegations.
Furthermore, the ACC has decided to pursue a separate investigation against the current EDCL Managing Director, M. Samad Mridha, who holds US citizenship. The allegations against Mridha involve large-scale corruption and money laundering. It is claimed that Mridha, in conjunction with a syndicate, embezzled substantial amounts from the state through manipulated tenders, false competition, nepotism, and commission fraud in the procurement of hormonal drug raw materials such as ‘Desogestrel USP.’
The ACC disclosed that significant funds were allegedly laundered abroad through entities named Mark Allrise International and Reliance Trade International. ACC officials have confirmed the appointment of investigators based on documentary evidence, and restrictions on the accused’s foreign travel will remain in place until the investigations are concluded.