A Dhaka court has sent Motazzerul Islam Mithu, a controversial contractor widely known for his influence in the health sector during the Awami League government, to jail in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over Tk75.8 crore illegal wealth accumulation.
Acting Judge Ibrahim Miah of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Court issued the order on Thursday afternoon, following a hearing. The court has set September 18 as the date for a hearing on both remand and bail petitions.
Mithu’s lawyer, Md Shafiqul Islam, confirmed the development, stating that the ACC’s investigating officer had sought a 7-day remand for interrogation. In response, the defense filed for bail and cancellation of the remand plea.
After hearing from both sides, the court sent Mithu to jail pending the next hearing.
According to the ACC’s remand petition, Mithu is accused of amassing immovable and movable assets worth approximately Tk75.8 crore that are disproportionate to his known sources of income.
The case has been filed under Section 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004.
The ACC claims that Mithu, with dishonest intent, used various business entities – including Lexicon Merchandise and Technocrat – to purchase agricultural land, plots, flats, and build properties valued at over Tk18.4 crore.
He also allegedly owns movable assets such as luxury vehicles, gold, electronics, furniture, shares, and significant bank deposits totaling over Tk57.4 crore.
The total value of his assets, both movable and immovable, reportedly amounts to Tk75.85 crore. The ACC also identified family expenditures amounting to Tk71.45 crore, bringing his total wealth and expenses to Tk147.30 crore.
However, investigators could only verify Tk71.49 crore as legitimate income sources, leaving Tk75.8 crore unaccounted for.
The ACC’s remand application also mentions that Mithu is under further investigation for allegedly forming a syndicate to influence procurement and development work in the health sector, both domestically and through foreign-linked channels.
Allegations of money laundering abroad under family members’ names are also being examined.
The ACC stressed that intensive interrogation is necessary to uncover the full extent of these alleged financial irregularities and network of influence and therefore sought 10 days of remand.
Mithu was arrested late at night on September 10 from the New Market area by the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police. He was later handed over to the ACC for legal proceedings.
