Former state minister Farhad now shown arrested in corruption case

Former state minister for public administration Farhad Hossain has been shown arrested in a graft case initiated by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Faiz made the decision on Sunday following a plea by the investigating officer in the case.

ACC Assistant Director Khorshed Alam, who is leading the inquiry, requested the arrest after accusing the Awami League leader of abusing his official power to acquire wealth amounting to Tk 11.19 million, which does not align with his known sources of income.

The anti-graft watchdog says it has found records of Tk 65.46 million deposited and Tk 63.57 million withdrawn from 12 bank accounts held in Farhad’s name.

In the application, the ACC says a case has also been filed against him under the money laundering law and the investigation remains ongoing.

It added that Farhad is already in custody at Dhaka Central Jail in connection with another case and may go into hiding or flee abroad if released on bail.

He was produced before the court on Sunday for the hearing, after which the court issued the arrest order.

The politician was first arrested on Sept 15, 2024, in the capital’s Eskaton. He was later shown arrested in a murder case filed over a July Uprising killing and sent to jail.