ACC investigates the corruption of Sh Rezaul and Mannujan

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided to investigate five people including former Housing and Public Works Minister Sh. Rezaul Karim and State Minister for Labor and Employment Begum Mannujan Sufian on allegations of irregularities and corruption by abuse of power. The commission on Sunday decided to form a public investigation team after the secret investigation of the intelligence wing of the ACC found evidence of their huge wealth. Related sources have confirmed this information.

On Sunday (September 1), ACC Secretary Khorseda Yasmin said that there are allegations against them of money laundering, irregularities in projects and making huge illegal wealth in the country and abroad. He pointed out that the information of the intelligence unit of the ACC has been taken into account against them. Others who have been investigated are Mannujan Sufian's younger brother Md. who served as APS. Sahabuddin, his daughter Shamima Sultana Hriday and sister's son Yasir Arafat.

According to the secret report presented by the commission, Sh. Rezaul Karim served as the Minister of Housing and Public Works for the first time. In the second phase, he was the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock. During the tenure of these two ministries, he misused his power and acquired huge illegal wealth through irregularities and corruption. He owns many immovable properties in Barisal's Nazirpur, Pirojpur and different areas of Dhaka. These include multi-storied houses in capital's Badda area, apartments in Meherba Plaza in Topkhana, multiple plots in Purbachal. ACC also found evidence of fraud against him in taking plots after becoming a minister. After allotting the government plot in his father's name, he wrote it in his own name. Information was also found that Rajuk took plots despite his freedom fighter certificate being forged and having several flats and houses in Badda. Apart from this, Rezaul Karim, in the name of his friend Sukhranjan, is encroaching on a plot of 10 kathas of Rajuk by deeding a deed of ammoktarnama in the name of his brother. While in charge of the Livestock Ministry, he embezzled Tk. 25 crores in the name of purchase of various machinery and training under the Livestock and Dairy Development Scheme. In the name of his wife, children and relatives, information of huge wealth has been found in the country and abroad. Information about his acquisition of known non-income assets is prima facie evidence.

On the other hand, according to another report, Mannujan Sufian also acquired illegal wealth through various irregularities and corruption by misusing power. He has huge assets in different areas of Khulna. His younger brother Sahabuddin, Sahabuddin's daughter Shamima Sultana and sister's son Yasir Arafat embezzled crores of rupees through recruitment-transfer and promotion trade. Initially, after confirming the evidence of their illegal assets, the commission decided to form an investigation team.

Incidentally, Advocate Sh Rezaul Karim was elected from Pirojpur-1 constituency in the 12th National Parliament election with the boat symbol. He won from the same seat in 2018 as well. On the other hand, Mannujan Sufia was elected from Khulna-3 seat in 2008, 2014 and 2018 elections. He did not get the Awami League ticket in the 12th National Parliament election.

Bangladesh /KH