Dhaka:The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a charge sheet against Md. Nurul Haque Sheikh, Chairman of Sonali Engineering and Construction Limited. He is accused of acquiring assets worth Taka 2.45 crore beyond his known sources of income and concealing assets worth Taka 10 lakh.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Md. Aktarul Islam, Deputy Director of the ACC's Public Relations Department, announced the filing during a media briefing. The case against Nurul Haque Sheikh was initially filed on December 26, 2021, at the Dhaka-1 Integrated District Office under sections 26(2) and 27(1) of the ACC Act, 2004.
The investigation revealed that Sheikh possessed fixed and movable assets totaling approximately Taka 3,28,66,384. It was discovered that a vehicle valued at Taka 10 lakh was not disclosed in his asset statement. Additionally, Sheikh had loans amounting to Taka 54,60,260, leading to net assets of Taka 2,74,06,124 after deductions. Including family expenses, the total assets acquired were calculated at Taka 3,88,40,273, while his declared income was only Taka 1,43,07,690, leaving an unexplained discrepancy of Taka 2,45,32,583.
Further scrutiny revealed that Sheikh claimed to have received Taka 2.75 crore as gifts from relatives during the 1990-91 and 2008-09 tax years. However, he could not identify the donors, rendering his claim unacceptable. Following the investigation officer's recommendation, the ACC approved the charge sheet, which has been submitted to the court.