Former shipping minister Shahjahan Khan, and his son, Md Asibur Rahman, have been shown arrested in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over allegations of acquiring wealth beyond known sources of income.
The court of Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Shahjahan Kabir passed the order on Monday.
Defence lawyer Mijanur Rahman Badsha confirmed the matter.
ACC Deputy Director Kamalesh Mondal filed the case on 2 February 2025 over charges of acquiring and possessing assets worth Tk9,89,06,065 that are disproportionate to known sources of income.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the immovable assets worth Tk3,68,78,033 and movable assets worth Tk7,06,88,714 were found in Asibur’s name, bringing his total acquired assets to Tk10,75,66,747.
Additionally, family and other expenditures were recorded at Tk1,03,38,501. Following an inquiry reviewing acceptable income sources and liabilities against these assets and expenditures, the ACC identified Tk9,89,06,065 in wealth beyond known income.
The ACC alleged in FIR that Shahjahan, during his tenure as shipping minister, abused his official power, influence, and financial support to assist his son in acquiring the assets.
However, information regarding these allegations being finally proven in court has not yet been established.
The case has been filed under Section 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, and Section 109 of the Penal Code.
The lawsuit was recommended following an inquiry into asset and income information covering the period from 2009 to 2024, and was officially registered on 2 February 2025 after receiving approval from ACC.
Rejecting the charges, defence lawyer Badsha said the allegations brought by ACC against Shahjahan are not true.
He explained that a flat mentioned in the case was purchased through a bank loan, yet its value was listed as personal wealth.
The lawyer added that Shahjahan’s legitimate assets amount to Tk1.5 crore, on which taxes have been paid regularly since 2012.
