ACC probes Tk3 lakh crore fraud allegations against BAT

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into allegations of fraud and money laundering involving more than Tk3 lakh crore against multinational tobacco company British American Tobacco (BAT) over the past 55 years.
As part of the inquiry, the state anti-graft agency has sent letters to several government offices seeking information and documents related to the allegations of financial irregularities and money laundering involving the company.
A senior ACC official confirmed on Saturday that the commission has decided to examine the allegations and has already begun reviewing relevant records and documents.
ACC Deputy Director (Public Relations) Md Akhterul Islam told the media that letters had been sent to different offices, including the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms, to verify the facts behind the allegations.
“After examining the documents, if evidence supporting the allegations is found, legal action will be taken in accordance with the law,” he said.
According to the complaint submitted to the ACC, the journey of the “Pakistan Tobacco Company” (PTC) began in Karachi following the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. The company later established two major factories in Chattogram and Dhaka.
After Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, the abandoned properties were legally supposed to come under the ownership of the Bangladesh government. 
The complaint further alleges that PTC had already received substantial compensation from Karachi for those assets.
It claims that a syndicate led by former PTC finance manager Jamaluddin Ahmed, who later held senior positions in the Bangladesh government, used political influence and fraudulent means to facilitate the transfer of these state-owned assets to BAT.
According to the complaint, the alleged fraud caused Bangladesh to lose between US$20 billion and $30 billion over the last 55 years.
The ACC said the allegations are currently under verification, and further action will depend on the findings of the ongoing inquiry.