ACC files case against former Chief Justice Khairul Haque

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against former Chief Justice A. B. M. Khairul Haque and seven others for allegedly obtaining a 10-katha plot using false information. The ACC’s Director General (Prevention), Md. Akhtar Hossain, confirmed the matter on Monday (August 4).

The other accused in the case are former RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md. Nurul Huda; Member (Finance and Estate) A.I.M. Golam Kibaria; Member Md. Abu Bakkar Sikder; Member (Planning) Md. Anwarul Islam Sikder; Member (Estate) Akhtar Hossain Bhuiyan; former Joint Secretary and Member (Development) M. Mahbubul Alam; and Member (Administration and Land) Nazmul Hai.

According to the case statement, Justice Khairul Haque already owned a six-story ancestral house on nearly 18 kathas of land on 2 No. Education Extension Road (Nayem Road) in the capital. Despite this, while serving as Chief Justice, he allegedly abused his authority and submitted a false affidavit to obtain a 10-katha plot from RAJUK in violation of Rule 13 of the Dhaka Improvement Trust (Allotment of Lands) Rules, 1969, by engaging in fraud and misrepresentation.

ACC DG Md. Akhtar Hossain stated that Justice Khairul Haque violated the terms of the plot allotment and misused his power, with the direct assistance of RAJUK officials. Despite no provision for interest waivers, he breached the temporary allotment conditions by failing to pay the installments, including interest, within the stipulated time. Instead, he paid the dues without interest five years after allotment and post-retirement, thereby receiving undue benefits in violation of RAJUK's regulations.

By not paying BDT 474,240 in interest, he caused financial loss to the government and committed a punishable offense of embezzlement, the ACC alleged.