Former ACC chairpersons and commissioners implicated in money laundering activities!

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has often been criticized for allegedly being exploited as a tool to target political opponents of the ruling government. Recent revelations suggest that instead of combating money laundering, some former ACC chairpersons, commissioners, and officials may have actively facilitated such illicit activities. Experts are now demanding comprehensive investigations into these allegations and the imposition of travel restrictions on the implicated individuals.  

Over the years, the ACC has filed numerous cases against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and several other party leaders. Khaleda Zia, along with Tarique Rahman and his wife Zubaida Rahman, has been sentenced to various prison terms in these cases. From the beginning, the BNP has asserted that these cases were politically motivated.  

Reports indicate that former government officials, as well as ACC chairpersons and commissioners, conspired to frame Khaleda Zia and other opposition leaders in ACC cases. This group also reportedly extorted millions of taka from businesspeople through intimidation and blackmail. Several ACC officials and a prominent lawyer are alleged to have been involved in this racket.  

In a groundbreaking move, the ACC has initiated an investigation into corruption allegations against one of its former commissioners. Jahurul Haque, a former commissioner, stands accused of amassing hundreds of crores of taka through bribery and corruption. Much of this wealth was allegedly laundered to Australia, where his daughter resides.  

Another commissioner, Asiya Begum, has been accused of aiding her husband in amassing substantial illegal wealth. During her tenure, she allegedly shielded individuals involved in exam paper leaks, such as PSC driver Abed Ali, from prosecution in exchange for hefty bribes. ACC Deputy Director Gulshan Anwar Pradhan and Supreme Court lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan were reportedly complicit in these corrupt practices.  

Jahurul Haque, who also served as chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), faced earlier allegations of corruption related to frequency allocations for private TV channels and undue benefits to mobile companies. Following his resignation as ACC commissioner on October 29, it was revealed that he exploited his position to obtain a 10-katha (16,000 sq. ft.) plot of land, exceeding the 5-katha plot originally allocated to him and his wife.  

In violation of regulations prohibiting separate plot allocations for a couple, Jahurul and his wife retained both plots. Additionally, Jahurul used his influence as ACC commissioner to secure an extra government vehicle and driver for his family, despite the agency's chronic vehicle shortages.  

These revelations have provoked outrage within the ACC, as senior officials often struggle with limited resources, including shared vehicles. The misconduct of former commissioners and their associates underscores the urgent need for accountability, structural reforms, and transparency within the institution.