The Anti-Corruption Commission on Thursday decided to launch inquiries against two former lawmakers and a former mayor over allegations of abuse of power, and amassing illegal wealth through corruption.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Court on Thursday issued travel bans on former fisheries and livestock minister SM Rezaul Karim, former Sirajganj-2 lawmaker Jannat Ara Henry and former customs commissioner Wahida Rahman Chowdhury.
The ACC decided to start inquiries against two former Awami league lawmakers Mahfuzur Rahman Mita of Chattogram-3 and Nasimul Alam Chowdhury of Cumilla-8 as well as former mayor of Jashore, Zahurul Islam Chakladar.
The decisions were taken at the ACC headquarters to proceed with the enquiries after initial intelligence reports provided evidence supporting the allegations against these individuals, said ACC deputy director for public relations Aktarul Islam.
Based on intelligence findings, which indicate the accumulation of significant illegal assets, the ACC has decided to proceed with open investigations against these individuals, he added.
According to the allegations, Mahfuzur Rahman Mita served as a lawmaker three times, in 2014, 2018, and 2024.
During his tenure, he allegedly misused his power and was involved in corruption, acquiring illegal assets both at home and abroad.
His annual income in 2014 was reported at Tk 4.7 million, which increased to Tk 9.4 million over the past decade鈥攁n increase of 101.2 per cent.
His movable assets also grew by over 199.23 per cent while his wife, Mahmuda Mahfuz, saw a 190 per cent increase in both her movable and immovable assets.
Mita and his family members amassed properties, including plots in Purbachal, a building in Motijheel, flats in Gulshan, a plot in Uttara鈥檚 Diabari, and land at Haramia in Sandwip.
They have also been linked to laundering large sums of money abroad, particularly through Mahfuzur Rahman鈥檚 money exchange business.
There are allegations against former lawmaker Nasimul Alam Chowdhury that he amassed illegal wealth through corruption and abusing his position.
The inquiry reveals that he invested Tk 15.7 million in a company called BJ Geotextile Ltd and owns two flats in Banani DOHS and Nikunja, along with around 17 shops at Barura Bazar in Cumilla.
Nasimul also has ownership of two multi-storey houses and about 450 decimals of land in various areas in Cumilla.
Apart from this, ACC also decided to launch an inquiry against Zahurul Islam Chakladar, also known as Rentu Chakladar, the former mayor of Jashore.
Elected as mayor in 2016, he had no significant wealth before assuming office, the allegation said, adding that after becoming mayor, he amassed a huge amount of wealth.
He was involved in irregularities during 2018 road construction projects and mismanagement of drainage and waste systems, through which he embezzled 40 acres of land.
Zahurul also constructed a garden house on 100 bighas of land in Jashore鈥檚 Arabpur area, built a feed mill on 20 bighas of land at Rupdia Bazar, and a luxurious house in Kazipara.
He abused his position as the president of several educational institutions at Bagharpara in Jashore, profiting from illegal recruitment activities, said the allegations.
Meanwhile, Dhaka metropolitan senior special judge Mohammed Ash-Shams Joglul Hossain issued international travel bans on former minister SM Rezaul Karim, former lawmaker Jannat Ara Henry and former Customs Commissioner Wahida Rahman Chowdhury.
The court came up with the travel bans following an application submitted by the Anti-Corruption Commission.
On September 1, the ACC initiated an inquiry against S M Rezaul Karim over allegations of accumulating illegal wealth through corruption and misuse of power.
The ACC started an inquiry against former Sirajganj-2 lawmaker Jannat Ara Henry on August 20 over allegations of amassing a huge amount of illegal wealth.
She also legalised undisclosed money of Tk 32 crore during the 2020-21 financial year.
On the other hand, former customs commissioner Wahida Rahman Chowdhury is under probe for embezzling Tk 152 crore.
A case was filed against her on June 11 by the ACC, accusing her of waiving interest payments of mobile operator companies illegally, causing significant financial losses to the government.
