Despite substantial evidence of undeclared assets belonging to former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed and his wife Rukhmila Zaman Chowdhury, the authorities concerned had failed to take action for an extended period.
The Transparency International Bangladesh highlighted the case as a clear example of partisanship and ineffectiveness within key institutions, particularly at leadership level, including the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit, the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Criminal Investigation Department of police and the National Board of Revenue, a TIB press release said.
The anti-graft watchdog emphasised that there was no alternative to strengthening and comprehensively reforming these institutions to effectively combat corruption and money laundering and to ensure accountability by identifying those involved in such crimes.
Since December of last year, no progress has been made despite the disclosure of specific information regarding the former land minister鈥檚 undisclosed assets abroad and widespread public concern.
Terming this highly disappointing, TIB executive director Iftekharuzzaman said that on December 26 last year, following the release of TIB鈥檚 report titled 鈥楥andidate Profiles in Affidavits,鈥� along with the 鈥楰now Your Candidate鈥� dashboard and subsequent media reports, the public and relevant authorities became aware of the former land minister鈥檚 investments and ongoing business activities in the United Kingdom, totalling over Tk 2,300 crore.
On March 4 of this year, through a collaborative initiative between Transparency International UK and TIB, all specific information, evidence, and documents uncovered in TI UK鈥檚 investigation, were sent to the BFIU, ACC, CID, NBR and the Attorney General鈥檚 office.
Although the institutions have ample proof, they failed to take any discernible action against the minister. Visible movement on this topic has only occurred after the government鈥檚 fall and the resignation of the BFIU head, which is seen as a positive indication.
鈥楴evertheless, the persistent inquiry remains; why was no action implemented sooner, despite the significant evidence?鈥�, Iftekharuzzaman asked.
鈥楾he lack of action demonstrates that these institutions have become ineffective due to partisan influences, with their leadership exacerbating this ineffectiveness? In reality, the misuse of authority has legitimised money laundering and the acquisition of undeclared assets.鈥�
鈥楾he government agencies that are supposed to be looking into financial corruption in the nation have fostered corruption and opened the door to corruption by hiring, promoting, and providing unscrupulous benefits to party affiliates, which is a cause for concern.鈥�
Iftekharuzzaman said that the former land minister鈥檚 enormous overseas assets accumulation that remained undisclosed was only the 鈥榯ip of the iceberg鈥�, as the saying goes.
鈥楾hese institutions need to undergo a thorough overhaul as part of the drastic changes that the student movement and the new Bangladesh are projected to bring about. The goal of a state that is free from corruption, well-governed, democratic, and accountable will remain a pipe dream,鈥� he added.
