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CORRUPTION, ABUSE OF POWER

Ex-agriculture minister Abdus Shahid under ACC scanner

UNB, Dhaka

Published: 08 Sep 2024

Ex-agriculture minister Abdus Shahid under ACC scanner

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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday decided to launch an investigation into allegations of corruption and abuse of power against former agriculture minister and Moulvibazar-4 MP Abdus Shahid.

ACC spokesperson Akhtarul Islam confirmed it to UNB, stating that Shahid is alleged to have illegally occupied land belonging to the Forest Department to develop tea gardens, install street lights, and set up deep tube wells at government expense—actions that violate the law.

Preliminary findings by the ACC revealed assets worth over Tk100 crore in the names of Shahid's wife and children, including multiple houses and flats in various locations.

Additionally, the ACC has decided to investigate reports of significant illegal assets held both domestically and abroad, including a house purchased in Canada, under the name of Shahid's wife.

In a related move, the ACC has also initiated an investigation against Habibur Rahman, a former Member of Parliament for the Bogura-5 constituency. According to the commission's statement, Rahman is suspected of accumulating a substantial amount of wealth through abuse of power, corruption, and unethical activities, with assets allegedly held in his own name as well as those of his wife and family members.

Furthermore, the ACC has received complaints against Maqsood, who served as the personal assistant to former agriculture minister Abdur Razzak. The commission alleges that Maqsood exploited his position to dominate the Ministry of Agriculture, securing contracts for his own company, raising bills for incomplete work, misappropriating project funds, and engaging in various corrupt practices.

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