ACC files case against former VAT commissioner

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against Waheeda Rahman Choudhury, a former NBR Commissioner, for giving illegal benefits worth Tk 153 crore to four mobile operator companies. 

ACC Assistant Director Shah Alam Sheikh filed the case against Waheeda Rahman Chowdhury at the integrated district office in Dhaka under Section 218/409 of the Bangladesh Penal Code and Section 5(2) of the Corruption Prevention Act of 1947.

Khorsheda Yasmeen, an ACC secretary, confirmed the information on Tuesday (June 11).

A three-member probe committee, chaired by NBR member Hossain Ahmed, has substantiated the allegations against Waheeda Rahman Choudhury.

According to the case statement, Waheeda Rahman Choudhury, the accused, allegedly caused financial losses to the government by waiving unpaid interest of Tk 152,00,89,390 for four mobile phone operators, through misuse of power and breach of trust.

Of the total sum, Grameenphone Limited was exempted from paying Tk 58,64,88,697 across six files, while Banglalink Digital Communication Limited was exempted from Tk 57,88,53,051 across seven files, Robi Axiata from Tk 14,94,16,688, and Airtel Bangladesh Limited from Tk 20,53,30,952.

However, Waheeda Rahman Choudhury, the Customs Commissioner who served as the LTU Commissioner, has retired and is currently on Post-Retirement Leave (PRL).