Dhaka: The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated legal proceedings against SM Asif Shams, the former mayor of Bera, Pabna, for not providing his wealth statement within the designated timeframe, as reported by a spokesperson from the graft commission today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the case is lodged under section 26(2) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, stated ACC’s deputy director for public relations, Md Aktarul Islam, during a news briefing. Asif Shams is the son of former deputy speaker Advocate Shahsul Haque Tuku. The charges against him are linked to his non-compliance with a mandate to submit a wealth statement, which is part of an ongoing investigation against his father, who is currently incarcerated.
The ACC alleges that Tuku exploited his political influence to amass a significant amount of assets. An order was issued for Asif Shams to submit a detailed wealth statement to the ACC, which was served at his permanent address on January 16, 2026, in the presence of two witnesses, allotting him a 21-day window to comply.
The commission’s spokesperson noted that Shams did not submit the required documentation by the February 18 deadline and did not apply for an extension. The ACC had previously filed a case against Tuku on December 23, 2025, concerning allegations of acquiring assets beyond his known income sources, which remains under investigation.
In addition, the ACC has directed Tuku’s other son, SM Nasif Shams, and his wife, Mumtahina Mostafa, to provide their wealth statements in light of allegations regarding the acquisition of illegal assets, with inquiries currently ongoing.