ACC seeks records of appointments, transfers during Asif Mahmud’s tenure

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sought information and documents relating to the appointment, promotion and transfer of officials and employees under the Ministry of Youth and Sports during the tenure of former interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain.
The anti-graft agency has also sought records concerning the assignment and cancellation of acting responsibilities and subsequent postings of 38 upazila youth development officers, ACC sources told the Daily Sun.
An ACC letter signed by Deputy Director and investigation team leader Md Zahid Kalam was sent to Ministry Secretary Md Mahbub-ul-Alam on Thursday, asking the ministry to provide the documents by 10 September.
Mahbub-ul-Alam is himself among those named in the allegations under investigation.
According to the letter, a four-member investigation team has been formed to investigate allegations of corruption and irregularities against Asif Mahmud, Secretary Md Mahbub-ul-Alam, Joint Secretary (Youth Wing) Dr Shaikh Mohammad Jobayed Hossain and Deputy Secretary (Youth-1 Section) Md Masum Ahmed.

Documents sought
The ACC has sought records of appointments, promotions and transfers during Asif Mahmud’s tenure, along with certified copies of transfer-related documents issued under Ministry of Public Administration memorandums dated 7 May 2025 and 18 April 2026. 
It also sought certified copies of documents relating to the assignment and cancellation of acting responsibilities and subsequent postings of 38 upazila youth development officers under three separate memorandums.
The commission further requested the personal files of several assistant upazila youth development officers, as well as relevant rules, regulations and supporting records.

Bribery allegations
One of the key areas of the investigation is the cancellation of acting responsibilities and subsequent postings of the 38 officers.
According to the ACC, there are allegations that Tk76 lakh was taken as bribes for cancelling their acting assignments and arranging their postings.
There are also allegations that Tk1.05 crore was taken for the promotion of 150 assistant upazila youth development officers, while another Tk2 crore was allegedly taken to secure preferred postings after their promotions.
The allegations further include bribery in the promotion and transfer of upazila and assistant upazila youth development officers, as well as irregularities in tenders and procurement through a syndicate.
The ACC announced on Wednesday that it had launched an investigation into the allegations.
Secretary’s office asked to provide records
Some allegations concern administrative decisions taken during Mahbub-ul-Alam’s tenure, including the alleged retention of certain officials in their positions. Records maintained by his office are therefore expected to be relevant to the investigation.
As the secretary is among those named in the allegations, the documents sought from his office may also be relevant to the allegations against him. However, the ACC’s request does not establish the truth of any allegation or prove that any individual committed an offence.
The allegations will be assessed on the basis of documents, statements from relevant individuals and other evidence.

Asif demands withdrawal of ACC statement
Meanwhile, Asif Mahmud has demanded that the ACC withdraw its statement regarding the preliminary findings on the allegations against him.
At a press conference on Wednesday night, he reportedly gave the commission 24 hours to withdraw the statement, warning that he would take legal action if it failed to do so.
The ACC’s latest letter does not state that any offence has been established against Asif Mahmud or the other individuals named in the investigation. The investigation team will examine the records after receiving them and take further steps accordingly.