ACC Sues Former Khulna Zila Parishad Officer Over Tk 2.51 Crore in Unexplained Assets

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against S M Mahbubur Rahman, a former administrative officer of Khulna Zila Parishad, on allegations of acquiring assets worth Tk 2,51,73,200 inconsistent with his known sources of income and concealing information about assets worth nearly Tk 50 lakh in his wealth statement.

Assistant Director Md Jahid Fazal of the commission filed the case on Sunday (October 25) at the ACC's Khulna integrated district office. The case brings charges under sections 26(2) and 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004. ACC Khulna Deputy Director Mamunur Rashid Chowdhury confirmed the matter.

The accused, S M Mahbubur Rahman, is currently serving as an administrative officer of Netrokona Zila Parishad.

According to the case statement, S M Mahbubur Rahman declared immovable assets worth Tk 76,77,200 and movable assets worth Tk 1,71,87,751 in his wealth statement. The total value of his declared assets was Tk 2,48,64,951.

However, ACC verification found immovable assets worth Tk 2,29,22,288 and movable assets worth Tk 1,91,14,408 in his name. That put the total value of his assets at Tk 4,20,36,696.

The case statement says he has total liabilities of Tk 14,96,741 at BRAC Bank's Boro Bazar branch in Khulna and Sonali Bank's Sir Iqbal Road branch. After deducting those liabilities, his net assets stand at Tk 4,05,39,955.

The ACC inquiry put his acceptable income at Tk 2,31,60,413. Against that, his family expenditure was counted at Tk 77,93,658. After deducting expenditure, his net income or savings amount to Tk 1,53,66,755.

According to the ACC's calculation, deducting the savings determined from acceptable income and expenditure from his net assets leaves a discrepancy of Tk 2,51,73,200. The case under section 27(1) of the act was filed over acquiring and holding that asset inconsistent with known sources of income.

He has also been accused of concealing information about immovable assets worth Tk 30,56,563 and movable assets worth Tk 19,26,557 in his wealth statement. The total value of the concealed assets is Tk 49,83,120. The ACC filed the case under section 26(2) of the same act on that allegation.

ACC Khulna Deputy Director Mamunur Rashid Chowdhury said two cases have been filed against administrative officer Mahbubur Rahman. He is currently posted at Netrokona Zila Parishad, and in this situation the investigating officer may arrest him if he wishes.