Dhaka: The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) today filed a case against former lawmaker from Cox’s Bazar-2 constituency, Asheq Ullah Rafique, for allegedly amassing substantial wealth and conducting suspicious bank transactions.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Assistant Director of the ACC headquarters, Asif Al Mahmud, lodged the complaint, which was officially recorded by Anik Barua Babu, Assistant Director at the Cox’s Bazar office. The case alleges that Asheq Ullah, who also serves as the president of Maheshkhali upazila Awami League, acquired and held assets worth Taka 3,88,77,139 that are inconsistent with his declared sources of income, a violation of the Corruption Prevention Act and the Anti Money Laundering Act.
The case documents reveal that Asheq Ullah’s total assets are valued at approximately Taka 6,23,27,679, with only Tk 2,34,50,540 traceable to legal sources, leaving the remainder as allegedly illicit. Over a prolonged period, the former lawmaker deposited Taka 41,01,13,625 and withdrew Tk 34,15,23,697 through his 14 bank accounts, with total suspicious transactions amounting to about Taka 75,46,37,322.
ACC sources further indicated that the investigation uncovered assets worth Tk 57,52,306 in the name of Asheq Ullah Rafique’s wife, Shaheda Nasreen, which were also inconsistent with her legal income. The inquiry team suspects that she may possess additional undisclosed assets, prompting approval to issue an order requiring her to submit a statement of assets under section 26(1) of the ACC Act-2004.