Dhaka: The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is set to file a chargesheet against former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and his wife Lutful Tahmina, following allegations of amassing illegal wealth and laundering money totaling over Tk 21.52 crore. This development marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation into high-profile corruption cases in the country.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the case was initially filed on October 9, 2024, by the commission's Integrated District Office, Dhaka-1. ACC spokesperson Aktarul Islam confirmed this on Tuesday, highlighting the commission's findings. Investigations revealed that assets worth Tk 1,43,5,974 were accumulated under the name of Lutful Tahmina. Her legitimate income was found to be only Tk 5,22,2,227, resulting in a discrepancy of Tk 14,6,97,470, which the ACC categorized as wealth beyond known sources of income.
Investigators further indicated that Asaduzzaman Khan played a role in aiding his wife to acquire the illegal wealth by misusing his official position and engaging in acts of bribery and corruption. The investigation uncovered that Tk 6,65,70,70 deposited in a company bank account owned by Tahmina was of questionable origin. The ACC suggested that these funds were likely bribes received by Asaduzzaman Khan, which were subsequently laundered through various financial maneuvers to obscure their illegal origins.
The case involves a total alleged illicit wealth and suspicious financial transactions amounting to Tk 21,52,6,250. The assets in question include real estate such as flats and land, commercial properties, and shops, along with movable assets like business shares, bank deposits, fixed deposit receipts (FDRs), savings certificates, and passenger transport buses.
The comprehensive investigation was conducted by ACC Deputy Director Muhammad Zainal Abedin, from the Special Enquiry and Investigation-1 unit at the ACC headquarters in Dhaka. This chargesheet submission is a critical development in the ACC's efforts to combat corruption at the highest levels of government.