Shamim Osman, family summoned by ACC

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has summoned former Narayanganj-4 MP Shamim Osman, along with his wife Salma Osman, daughter Labiba Zoha Angona, and son Imtinan Osman, for questioning over allegations of corruption and illegal wealth accumulation.

A letter issued from the ACC's headquarters instructed them to appear on May 12. The notice, signed by ACC Deputy Director Rezaul Karim, was part of an ongoing investigation. The team also includes Assistant Directors Mohammad Monirul Islam and Pias Pal.

Shamim Osman and his family are accused of involvement in tender manipulation, extortion from various businesses, land grabbing, and misappropriation of public funds. They also face allegations of owning property abroad, including a house in the US and running businesses in Dubai.

Shamim Osman entered politics in 1996 and became an MP. At the time, he reportedly had limited assets. After the Awami League’s defeat in 2001, he fled to India. He returned in 2009 when the party came back to power. In the 2011 City Corporation election, he was defeated by Selina Hayat Ivy. He served as MP again from 2014 to 2024, amid controversial elections.

According to his 2014 wealth statement, he owned 10% agricultural land, a two-story house on 16% land, and 9 katha land in Uttara, with an annual income of Tk 2.7 million. Now, he owns over 123% agricultural land, non-agricultural plots, luxury vehicles, and earns nearly Tk 7.9 million annually.

The ACC suspects he acquired illegal assets worth hundreds of millions of takas, including 13 cargo ships and several companies in oil import and transport. He also allegedly took control of Nasib Paribahan and extorted large sums from LGED and public works projects. His family is said to have forcibly taken over Narayanganj and Chashara clubs as well. His daughter reportedly holds Canadian citizenship.

Previously, on January 15, the ACC filed a money laundering case against Shamim Osman, his wife, and brother-in-law Tanvir Ahmed, accusing them of laundering $25.1 million (over Tk193cr) earned through illegal international call termination operations via K-Telecommunications Ltd.

The case statement says the accused violated Section 2(ka)(2) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012, by laundering \$25,183,358 (equivalent to Tk 1.93 billion), which they had earned as an IGW license-holding operator of BTRC from international incoming call termination charges. Instead of bringing the foreign currency into Bangladesh, they allegedly committed the offense of money laundering.