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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has summoned Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and his family members for questioning over allegations of land grabbing, embezzlement of loan funds, and money laundering.
In a letter sent on Tuesday, they were asked to appear at the ACC Headquarters in Dhaka’s Segunbagicha on May 25 and 26.
The agency’s Director General (Prevention) Md Akhtar Hossain confirmed the development, according to a press release.
The letter says the national anti-graft agency intends to record their statements in connection with an investigation into allegations of “tax evasion, land grabbing, misappropriation of loan funds, transfer and siphoning of money, and money laundering” involving Sobhan, his family members, and associates.
Sobhan, his wife Afroza Begum, their eldest son Sadat Sobhan, and Sadat’s wife Sonia Ferdousi Sobhan have been summoned for May 25.
On May 26, the ACC will quiz Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir, his wife Sabrina Sobhan, Co-Chairman Sadat, Vice-Chairmen Shafiat Sobhan (Sanvir) and Safwan Sobhan along with Safwan’s wife Yasha Sobhan.
Following the fall of the Awami League government on Aug 5, 2024, multiple state agencies launched inquiries into alleged irregularities and corrupt practices by major business beneficiaries of the previous regime.
The National Board of Revenue’s Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) opened separate investigations into five conglomerates, including Bashundhara, and sent letters to banks and financial institutions asking for transaction details of their owners and relatives.
In October last year, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) froze the bank accounts of Sobhan and his four sons.
That same month, a court imposed a travel ban on eight members of the Sobhan family following a plea by the ACC.
Separately, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) announced in September that it had opened an investigation into Sobhan, his son Anvir, and other affiliates over alleged land grabs worth Tk 1.5 trillion and money laundering.