The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided to initiate an inquiry into allegations against Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson and former adviser for youth and sports, regarding the laundering of Tk11,000 crore abroad.
Speaking on Sunday, ACC Assistant Director Mohammad Tanzir Ahmed stated that the commission received complaints alleging that Asif Mahmud siphoned off Tk4,500 crore to Dubai, Tk3,000 crore to Singapore, Tk2,000 crore to Australia, and Tk1,500 crore to Switzerland to purchase luxury villas and invest in various businesses.
It is also alleged that he transferred these funds abroad through his two brothers-in-law and nephew.
Alongside the money laundering charges, the commission received allegations regarding money transactions for official postings and promotions within the Ministry of Youth and Sports, which the agency decided to investigate.
Earlier on 2 September, the ACC launched an inquiry against four individuals, including Asif Mahmud, over various irregularities and corruption in the Youth and Sports Ministry.
According to ACC Assistant Director Mohammad Tanjir Ahmed, complaints indicate that former adviser Asif Mahmud transacted approximately Tk60 crore for appointing an administrator in Dhaka North City Corporation and between Tk2 crore and Tk10 crore for the posting of 36 Deputy Commissioners (DCs) across the country.
Moreover, he was allegedly involved in tender business in Dhaka South City Corporation, Narayanganj City Corporation, and Comilla City Corporation, whilst taking commissions of 10 to 30 per cent from development project tenders during his tenure at the Ministry of Local Government.
He is also accused of embezzling thousands of crores of taka by inflating costs in rural infrastructure development and bridge construction projects under the Local Government Ministry, abnormally raising expenses in Phase 3 of Dhaka WASA’s Sayedabad Water Treatment Plant project, and inflating the Sheikh Russel Mini Stadium project budget by Tk1,200 crore.
ACC Assistant Director Mohammad Tanjir Ahmed noted that Asif Mahmud transacted crores of taka in appointments, transfers, and promotions within the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
He allegedly accepted a bribe of Tk 10 crore for appointing Abdus Salam as MD of Dhaka WASA, received Tk 52 crore in bribes to appoint former LGED Chief Engineer Md Abdur Rashid Khan, and appointed Abdul Latif Khan as CEO of Gazipur City Corporation in exchange for Tk 65 crore.
The ACC official added that Asif Mahmud wasted state funds by travelling by helicopter, regularly visited five-star hotels including Hotel Westin, lived in luxury flats, and travelled in cars.
The commission has received allegations that he used corrupt money to purchase land in Portugal, invest in Green Group in Dubai, and deposit funds into Swiss bank accounts.
Meanwhile, an allocation of Tk 453 crore for rural infrastructure development in his home upazila of Muradnagar has come under scrutiny over its questionable allocation and receipt process.
Allegations state that his father, Billal Hossain, and Assistant Private Secretary (APS) Moazzem Hossain controlled a contractor syndicate and collected money by exerting influence over the local administration.
Additionally, his Personal Officer (PO) Mahfuzul Alam Bhuiyan is accused of lobbying in bribe transactions and abusing power. ACC officials confirmed that the inquiry into the corruption and irregularity allegations against Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan remains ongoing.
