ACC opens investigation into its director general’s alleged bribe demand
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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into allegations made by National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah on Facebook regarding ACC officials demanding bribes.
On Thursday, the commission's Director General (Prevention) Md Akhtar Hossain told journalists, “We have issued numerous notices warning against fraud. Despite this, many continue to fall victim to scammers.
“So far, we have received four general diaries (GDs) from people who have been cheated.”
Hasnat, NCP’s chief organiser (southern region), recently wrote in a Facebook post: “In independent Bangladesh, the ACC’s tea bill is Tk 100,000,” claiming that officials demanded this amount from Dr Mahmuda Mitu as a prerequisite for clearing her name, despite no corruption charges being filed against her.
“Mahmuda was told, ‘you’re a doctor, so you have money; pay Tk 100,000 for clearance’.”
He also shared three recorded phone conversations with the doctor in the form of video clips.
In a statement on Tuesday, the agency said the accusations were “unverified and defamatory”.
According to the statement, signed by ACC spokesperson Md Akhtarul Islam, Hasnat made “defamatory remarks against the director general and senior officials without any verification”.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Akhter said: “We have informed the media through a notification about the information provided by a political party organiser.
“The fraudster who contacted the complainant’s number has been linked to four more similar incidents. A complaint has been filed with the relevant police station.
“These cases are currently under investigation by both our team and the concerned police stations. It will soon be revealed that this is the work of a fraudster, as we now have all the necessary information in our hands.”
He said, “The fraudsters are very smart. Facebook and WhatsApp accounts were created using the ACC chairman’s name, and money was extorted through Nagad and bKash.
“We have arrested four individuals, including the man impersonating the ACC chairman. They are currently on remand.”
“We have also decided to investigate the video clips,” he added.