ACC summons former BSS MD Mahbub Morshed over corruption allegations

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has summoned former Managing Director (MD) and Editor-in-Chief of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Mahbub Morshed on charges of irregularities and corruption.

According to the notice sent by the ACC, he will have to appear at the ACC head office in Segunbagicha at 3pm on Monday (June 29).

The notice, signed by ACC Deputy Director and Investigating Officer AKM Mahbubur Rahman, states that there are various allegations of irregularities and corruption against Mahbub Morshed. It is necessary to record his statement in the interest of a fair investigation. The notice has directed him to appear with copies of his national identity card and passport.

Although the ACC has not officially released the details of the charges, there was already discussion about the allegation that he rented a car he owned to BSS through another company while he was in charge of BSS.

According to the complaint, in November 2025, a car was rented for the official use of the editor-in-chief of BSS. The actual owner of the car, a Toyota Elion model, provided by an organization called ‘Rent-a-Car Service’, was Mahbub Morshed himself. The monthly rent for the car, including fuel, driver and other expenses, was set at 1 lakh 50 thousand taka.

According to the documents, a total of 3 lakh taka was paid for the rental of the car in January and February 2026. Later, the owner of the organization concerned, Md. Abdul Kader Meena, claimed that Mahbub Morshed received the entire amount of the car rental and that he himself did not take any commission.

In August 2024, the interim government appointed Mahbub Morshed as the MD and editor-in-chief of BSS for a two-year term. However, after the change of government in February 2026, he practically stepped down from his duties in the face of protests by BSS employees.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting then formed a four-member committee to investigate the allegations against him. Although the investigation report has been submitted, its details have not yet been released.

Finally, on April 1 of this year, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification canceling the contractual appointment of Mahbub Morshed.