Former ACC commissioner being investigated over illegal assets, smuggling funds

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated an investigation against its former commissioner Jahurul Haque for alleged irregularities in acquiring a RAJUK plot, laundering money, and illegally obtaining assets in the BDR killings case.

Two senior ACC officials confirmed the decision on Thursday.

One of them told bdnews24.com, "The commission has decided to investigate him for abusing his power to acquire assets beyond his known income."

This marks the first time an ACC commissioner, current or former, faces such charges.

The home ministry has revoked Jahurul's passport and barred him from leaving the country.

Jahurul, a retired district and sessions judge, served as a judge in the BDR killings case.

He later served as BTRC commissioner and chairman before joining the ACC as commissioner in 2021.

He resigned on Oct 30 following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government.

ALLEGED PLOT VIOLATIONS

Jahurul and his wife, Masuma Begum, allegedly violated rules by obtaining two separate five-katha plots in RAJUK’s Purbachal New Town project.

They later surrendered these plots, claimed to be landless, and secured a 10-katha plot "suitable for building a house".

This allocation contradicts RAJUK's policy, which prohibits individuals with existing plots in Dhaka from obtaining new ones.

RAJUK documents show that Jahurul and Masuma possessed and registered their respective plots between 2013 and 2014.

In 2022, Jahurul applied for a 10-katha plot, saying he and his wife had no objection to surrendering their previous plots.

His request was approved at a RAJUK board meeting in December 2022.

RAJUK's plot allocation rules, amended in 2009, disallow dual ownership by couples and require the surrender of one plot.

While some couples complied, Jahurul's case avoided cancellation.

Responding to allegations in November, Jahurul said: "There was no such rule when we received the plots.

“Later, we surrendered them, claimed to be landless, and requested a 10-katha plot. The allocation followed proper procedures."

When asked about irregularities in the case, a long-serving RAJUK official told bdnews24.com: "The new rules came into effect in 2024.

“The ACC commissioner had already received two plots before this, so the new rules do not apply to him. His acquisition of two plots falls outside these regulations."