ACC moves to prosecute journalist Anis Alamgir over ‘illicit assets’

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has said it will file a case against senior journalist Anisur Rahman Alamgir, also known as Anis Alamgir, on charges of acquiring wealth beyond known sources of income and money laundering.

ACC Director General Akhtar Hossain shared the decision with journalists on Thursday.

He said the case will be filed under Section 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004. ACC Assistant Director Akhtaruzzaman will file the case.

According to the ACC investigation, Anisur, also a part-time university teacher, acquired assets worth Tk 40.96 million, including immovable property valued at Tk 2.5 million and movable assets worth Tk 38.47 million.

His family and other expenditures amounted to Tk 1.59 million, bringing the total value of assets and expenditure in his name to Tk 42.56 million.

On the other hand, during investigation, the ACC found a “significant discrepancy” between his sector-wise legally declared income and the assets he accumulated.

As per the investigation, while the total value of his acquired assets stands at Tk 42.56 million, his latest income tax records show net assets worth Tk 5.79 million.

The scrutiny shows that his acceptable and lawful income amounts to Tk 9.91 million, including Tk 5.44 million from past savings, Tk 1.94 million from television talk shows and consultancy work, Tk 2.2 million from the sale of a plot, and Tk 0.32 million from savings certificates and bank interest.

When compared with his total assets, Tk 32.65 million—around 77 percent of the total—was found to be inconsistent with his known sources of income, the ACC said.

Anis has worked with the daily Ajker Kagoj and other media outlets. Recently, he has been in the spotlight for his appearances on television talk shows, where he commented on contemporary political and social issues.

On Dec 14 around 8pm, the Detective Branch (DB) of police had taken the senior journalist to its office for “questioning”.