Dhaka: The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated two legal cases against former Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. AFM Ruhul Haque and his son Ziaul Haque. The charges pertain to the acquisition of assets beyond their known sources of income and allegations of money laundering.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, ACC Assistant Director and Public Relations Officer Md Tanzir Ahmed confirmed the filing of these cases today. The ACC's investigation has revealed that Ruhul Haque allegedly accumulated assets valued at approximately Taka 19,14,79,020, which exceed his known income sources. Additionally, suspicious transactions amounting to Taka 116,20,88,659 have been identified in his bank accounts.
The ACC's detailed inquiry determined that Ruhul Haque possesses assets worth Taka 45,03,25,757, including family and other expenditures, while his legitimate income was found to be Taka 25,88,46,737. During the investigation, it was uncovered that the former minister operated 39 bank accounts, with deposits amounting to Taka 64,76,74,879 and withdrawals totaling Taka 51,44,13,780. These accounts currently hold a balance of Taka 13,32,61,099.
In parallel, the ACC discovered that Ruhul Haque's son, Ziaul Haque, acquired assets worth approximately Taka 8,52,84,820 beyond his known income sources. The probe revealed movable and immovable assets worth about Taka 19,73,40,843 in his name, with net assets, including family expenditures, totaling Taka 25,15,90,458. His legitimate income, however, was calculated at Taka 16,63,05,638.
The ACC's investigation into Ziaul Haque's financial activities uncovered suspicious transactions amounting to Taka 33,84,35,313 across 15 bank accounts. A total of Taka 17,87,33,837 was deposited, while Taka 15,97,01,476 was withdrawn, leaving a current balance of Taka 1,90,32,361.
The ACC's findings suggest that funds were frequently moved in and out of various bank accounts in an apparent effort to obfuscate the money's origin and legitimize it through a process known as layering. Consequently, the ACC filed charges against Dr. AFM Ruhul Haque under section 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, sections 4(2) and 4(3) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012, and section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.
Charges against Ziaul Haque have been filed under section 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, and sections 4(2) and 4(3) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012. The cases were filed by ACC Assistant Director S.M. Rashidul Hasan, who is also leading the investigation as an officer at the ACC headquarters.