ACC probing 41 former ministers, lawmakers

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into allegations of acquiring assets beyond known sources of income against 41 ministers and lawmakes from the previous Awami League government.

The ACC launched the investigation upon a plea filed by lawyer M Sarwar Hossain citing an unusual increase in the former ministers and lawmakers’ wealth.

ACC sources said the investigation has begun against the 41 individuals listed by the lawyer based on the report provided by the Transparency International Bangladesh ahead of the 12th parliamentary elections.

According to sources, the ministers from the previous government under investigation by the ACC include Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, Law Minister Anisul Haque, Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Health Minister Zahid Malek, State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid Bipu, Social Welfare Minister Dipu Moni, State Minister for Relief and Disaster Management Enamur Rahman, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Local Government Minister Tajul Islam, State Minister for Information Technology Junaid Ahmed Palak, State Minister for Religious Affairs Faridul Haque Khan, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder, Expatriate Welfare Minister Imran Ahmed, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Zakir Hossain, Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastgir Gazi, Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, State Minister for Industries Kamal Ahmed Majumder, and State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russell.

And the former lawmakers under investigation include Benazir Ahmed (Dhaka-20), Sarwar Jahan (Kushtia-1), Shariful Islam Jinnah (Bogura-2), Shahidul Islam Bakul (Natore-1), Sheikh Afil Uddin (Jashore-1), Salim Uddin Tarafdar (Naogaon-3), Kazi Nabil Ahmed (Jessore-3), Enamul Haque (Rajshahi-4), Mamunur Rashid Kiran (Noakhali-3), Kujendra Lal Tripura (Khagrachari), Mohibbur Rahman (Patuakhali-4), Meher Afroz Chumki (Gazipur-5), Kazim Uddin Ahmed (Mymensingh-11), Swapan Bhattacharya (Jashore-5), Anwar Hossain (Pirojpur-2), Noor-e-Alam Chowdhury (Madaripur-1), Abu Saeed Al Mahmud Swapan (Joypurhat-2), Sheikh Helal Uddin (Bagerhat-1), Kamrul Islam (Dhaka-2), Hasanul Haque Inu (Kushtia-2), Ziaur Rahman (Chapainawabganj-2), and Shajahan Khan (Madaripur-2).