The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched a formal investigation into six senior officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), including leaders of the ongoing work abstention movement, for allegedly enabling tax and customs evasion over the past two decades and acquiring wealth beyond their known sources of income.
ACC Director General Akhter Hossain made the announcement at a press briefing on Sunday, stating that the accused officials are suspected of abusing their positions to favour select individuals and businesses in exchange for personal gain. These acts, the ACC believes, caused significant financial damage to the state.
The officials under investigation include A K M Badiul Alam, member of the income tax policy division; Hasan Muhammad Tarek Rikabder, additional commissioner of the Directorate of Audit, Intelligence and Investigation; Mirza Ashiq Rana, additional commissioner of Tax Zone-8, Dhaka; Monalisa Shahreen Susmita, additional commissioner of Tax Zone-16, Dhaka; Sadhan Kumar Kundu, additional commissioner of the Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate, Dhaka South; and Mohammad Morshed Uddin Khan, joint tax commissioner of the BCS Tax Academy.
According to the ACC, these officials served in various key positions over the last 20–25 years. During that time, they allegedly facilitated large-scale tax and duty evasion by businesses and individuals through irregularities, corruption, and preferential treatment. Investigators suspect that they enriched themselves in the process by accumulating assets disproportionate to their known income.
Notably, at least five of the six officials are actively linked to the current agitation within the revenue board, operating under the banner of the NBR Reform Unity Council. Hasan Muhammad Tarek Rikabder, who is at the centre of the movement, serves as the council’s president. Mirza Ashiq Rana and Monalisa Shahreen Susmita are serving as vice-presidents.
When asked whether the probe was in any way connected to the protests, the ACC Director General dismissed the notion. “There is no link between the ongoing movement and this investigation. The decision was based solely on verified complaints and recommendations from our scrutiny committee,” he said.
He added that the commission would also look into any new allegations against other individuals, if submitted.
The ACC further said it had received evidence that some NBR officials demanded and accepted large bribes to lower tax assessments. In some instances, those who refused to pay were allegedly harassed with false cases. There were also reports that taxpayers had to pay unofficial sums to receive legitimate tax refunds.
The commission has pledged to continue its inquiry without favour or prejudice, irrespective of the officials’ ranks or affiliations.
