Staff Correspondent, Dhaka
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has found evidence of suspicious transactions worth Tk626,65,18,107 crore through the bank accounts of Md Jahangir Alam, former personal assistant to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
According to the ACC, the funds were transacted across 23 accounts in eight banks under Jahangir's name and the names of entities he owns, allegedly to launder and enjoy the wealth earned illegally.
The anti-graft watchdog today (17 December) also filed a case against Jahangir, popularly known as Pani Jahangir, at its Dhaka Integrated District Office for reportedly accumulating over Tk18.29 crore worth of assets beyond known income sources.
Confirming the development, ACC Director General Akhtar Hossain said their investigation revealed substantial discrepancies.
The commission also discovered that Jahangir's wife Kamrun Nahar amassed Tk 6.80 crore worth of unexplained wealth despite being a housewife. A separate case has been filed against her as well.
ACC officials revealed that Nahar, with her husband's assistance, operated seven savings and DPS accounts in two banks, conducting transactions worth over Tk 5.96 crore.
Due to these abnormal financial activities, both Jahangir and Nahar face charges under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act and Money Laundering Prevention Act, said ACC official Akhtar.
In October this year, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has started an investigation against Jahangi, who used to serve at Sheikh Hasina's residence Sudha Sadan, over allegations of laundering a significant amount of money to the United States through hundi.
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Jahangir, who is already accused of amassing a fortune of Tk400 crore, has substantial assets in both Noakhali and Dhaka.
According to a CID statement, Jahangir allegedly acquired assets worth over Tk400 crore and his wife Nahar holds assets valued at Tk7.3 crore, including a 2,360 sq ft apartment in Dhanmondi, a car, and Tk73 lakh in business capital, along with Tk1.17 crore in bank deposits.
CID alleged that Jahangir himself owns agricultural and non-agricultural land worth Tk4 crore in his home district, two shops in Mohammadpur and New Market, a seven-storey building and two flats in Mirpur, a single-storey house in his village, and a four-storey house on his ancestral property in Noakhali's Chatkhil.
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His movable assets include Tk2.52 crore in cash and bank deposits, a DPS of Tk2.75 lakh, an FDR of Tk1.3 crore, and his wife's bank balance of Tk27.97 lakh, a DPS of Tk18.75 lakh, and investments in partnership firms amounting to Tk6.24 crore, it added.
The ACC started its investigation into Jahangir on 20 August, 15 days after the Awami League government fell and Hasina fled to India amid a mass uprising led by students.
