ACC seeks Asif Mahmud, wife's bank account details from BFIU

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sought information on the domestic and foreign assets, bank accounts and investments of former interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan and his wife Panna. As part of an ongoing inquiry, the commission has taken the initiative to collect this information through the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU).

The information was revealed from a letter signed by Md Zahed Kalam, deputy director and inquiry officer of the ACC head office. A senior ACC official confirmed the matter on Thursday, September 17.

According to ACC inquiry-related sources, an inquiry is underway into various allegations against Asif Mahmud, including acquiring illegal wealth, money laundering, forming shell companies and acquiring assets abroad. For this reason, information on the financial transactions of himself, as well as related individuals, institutions and companies, has also been sought.

In the ACC letter, information has been sought on active, closed and dormant accounts held in the names of Asif Mahmud and his related persons at banks and financial institutions under Bangladesh Bank. At the same time, information on debit and credit cards, lockers, bonds, savings certificates, FDRs, DPS and loan accounts has also been sought.

Information has also been sought regarding land purchases, investments and bank accounts in Portugal, Australia, Dubai, Singapore and Switzerland. Additionally, it has been learned that efforts will be made to collect information through the equivalent financial intelligence agencies of the respective countries if there is any financial activity related to money laundering or shell company formation in those countries.

According to ACC documents, a team has been formed to inquire into the allegations. The information has been sought from the BFIU based on the demand of the officer leading the inquiry team. Earlier, on September 2, the ACC decided to inquire into allegations of corruption in transfers, recruitment and promotions against Asif Mahmud. Later, some more allegations were added to that inquiry.

Meanwhile, the ACC has also said it has decided to apply for a travel ban on Asif Mahmud during the inquiry. An inquiry-related official said there is a risk that the inquiry process could be hindered if he goes abroad. For this reason, an application will be made to the relevant authorities for a ban.

The ACC inquiry is also scrutinising allegations against Asif Mahmud of laundering huge amounts of money abroad, financial transactions in government recruitment and appointments, tender-related irregularities and irregularities in various development projects. Among these, the ACC has said there are allegations of laundering around Tk 11,000 crore to Dubai, Singapore, Australia and Switzerland. However, these allegations are still under inquiry and have not been finally proven.

On the other hand, Asif Mahmud has previously protested the allegations raised against him. Questioning the ACC's statement, he claimed that attempts are being made to create a negative impression about him in the public mind before the results of the investigation or specific evidence are disclosed.