Two former Kushtia MPs face ACC cases over Tk9.1cr illicit wealth

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has approved cases against two former Kushtia lawmakers, Kamrul Arefin and Selim Altaf George, over allegations that they acquired assets worth Tk91,065,487 beyond their known sources of income and concealed assets worth a combined Tk23,257,279. 

The commission approved the cases on 8 October 2026 under Sections 26(2) and 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, following separate inquiries into their assets and liabilities.

According to the ACC's Kushtia Integrated District Office, former Kushtia-2 MP Kamrul Arefin allegedly accumulated assets worth Tk80,901,484 beyond his known income and concealed assets worth Tk16,808,801.

Former Kushtia-4 MP Selim Altaf George, meanwhile, has been accused of acquiring assets worth Tk10,164,003 beyond his known sources of income and concealing assets worth Tk6,448,478.

George is currently in jail and faces several murder cases, while Arefin is reportedly absconding.

Kamrul Arefin's assets valued at over Tk10.6 crore

The ACC investigated allegations that Arefin, a former MP and chairman of Mirpur Upazila Parishad, amassed wealth through abuse of power, tender manipulation, irregularities in the leasing of cattle markets and sand-mining sites, money earned through contracting work, and the alleged misappropriation of development project funds.

The inquiry also examined allegations that Arefin and members of his family accumulated wealth beyond their known sources of income and laundered money abroad. These allegations have yet to be established through a final judicial determination.

After finding preliminary grounds for further investigation, the ACC asked Arefin to submit a statement of his assets and liabilities. He submitted a signed statement in the prescribed format on 24 April 2025.

In his declaration, Arefin reported fixed assets worth Tk3,019,192 and movable assets worth Tk59,678,059, putting his total assets at Tk89,697,251. He also declared bank and other loans amounting to Tk20,016,955.

However, the ACC's verification put the value of his fixed assets at Tk39,836,184 and movable assets at Tk66,669,868, bringing his total assets to Tk106,506,052.

The difference between his declared and verified assets was Tk16,808,801, which the commission alleges he concealed in his statement.

The inquiry also found a significant gap between Arefin's acceptable income and his total assets and expenditure.

According to the case records, his acceptable income for the tax years from 1996-97 to 2022-23 amounted to Tk82,508,352. During the same period, his family expenditure, tax payments, other expenses and gifts to his wife totalled Tk56,903,784.

When these expenses were added to his verified assets, the combined amount stood at Tk163,409,836 — Tk80,901,484 more than his acceptable income.

The ACC alleges that this excess wealth could not be justified by his known sources of income.

Selim Altaf George's assets show Tk64.4 lakh discrepancy

The ACC conducted a separate inquiry into allegations of illicit wealth against former Kushtia-4 MP Selim Altaf George.

In his asset statement, George declared fixed assets worth Tk1,774,635 and movable assets worth Tk9,859,167, putting his total declared wealth at Tk11,633,802.

The ACC's verification found that the value of his fixed assets remained unchanged, but his movable assets were worth Tk16,307,645. His total verified assets were therefore assessed at Tk18,082,280.

The difference between the declared and verified amounts was Tk6,448,478, which the commission alleges he concealed.

George submitted his statement of assets and liabilities on 9 November 2025. The ACC subsequently formed an inquiry team led by Moinul Hasan Rowshoni, deputy director of its Kushtia Integrated District Office, with Assistant Director Md Bulbul Ahmed as a member.

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According to the commission's calculations, George's acceptable income for the tax years from 2018-19 to 2023-24 totalled Tk13,645,641. His family expenditure, tax payments and other expenses during the period amounted to Tk5,727,364.

After adding these expenses to his verified assets, the total came to Tk23,809,644 — Tk10,164,003 more than his acceptable income.

The ACC alleges that the excess assets are inconsistent with his known sources of income and that he concealed assets worth Tk6,448,478 in his declaration.

ACC approves both cases

Separate inquiry reports concerning the two former lawmakers were sent to the ACC headquarters on 24 May 2026. The commission approved the filing of cases against both men on 8 October.

The inquiry into Arefin also examined allegations involving assets held in the names of family members and the alleged misappropriation of development project funds.

The ACC's case records state that investigators may take further legal action if they identify additional assets or find evidence of the involvement of other individuals during the investigation.

The allegations against both former MPs remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings. The approval of the cases does not establish their guilt.