The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation against former interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and three officials of the Ministry of Youth and Sports over allegations of corruption and irregularities.
The allegations involve recruitment, transfers, promotions, procurement and the alleged operation of a syndicate within the Department of Youth Development.
ACC Deputy Director Md Aktarul Islam confirmed the development on Wednesday.
He said the commission had already formed a four-member team to look into the allegations.
The ACC team, led by Deputy Director Md Zahid Kalam, has been assigned to investigate the allegations, according to commission sources.
The other three officials facing the inquiry are Youth and Sports Ministry Secretary Md Mahbub-ul-Alam, Joint Secretary Sheikh Mohammad Jobayed Hossain and Deputy Secretary Md Masum Ahmed.
According to a complaint submitted to the ACC, Asif Mahmud allegedly committed serious irregularities in transfers, recruitment and promotions during his tenure as adviser to the ministry.
The complaint alleges that the accused were involved in cancelling the current-charge appointments of 38 upazila youth development officers and arranging their postings in exchange for Tk 76 lakh.
It further alleges that Tk1.5 crore was taken in connection with the promotion of 150 assistant upazila youth development officers, while another Tk2 crore was allegedly involved in arranging postings at preferred locations after their promotions.
The complaint also names several officials of the Department of Youth Development, alleging that they formed a syndicate and were involved in tender manipulation, procurement and other irregularities.
Among those named are Youth and Sports Ministry Secretary Md Mahbub-ul-Alam, Joint Secretary Sheikh Mohammad Jobayed Hossain and Deputy Secretary Md Masum Ahmed.
Several youth development officials have also been named in the complaint, including Md Golam Mostofa, Mamun, Zahid, Amir of Dhaka, Anich, Zahid, Ibrahim of Bogura, Julhas of Barishal, Nakimuddin, Ali Hossain, Abu Saeed of Pabna, Qurban Ali of Dhamrai in Dhaka and Ali Hossain of Narsingdi.
The complaint alleges that the group exercised control over tendering and procurement activities of the Department of Youth Development and amassed illicit wealth through the alleged irregularities.
It further alleges that those involved used the proceeds of the alleged corruption to lead lavish lifestyles.
The ACC has formed the investigation team to examine the allegations and establish whether any financial misconduct or corruption took place.
