Bangladesh ACC begins inventory of ex-minister's luxury apartments in graft probe

Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated the process of inventorying assets within two luxury apartments in Dhaka's Gulshan, owned by former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury. This action is part of a broader investigation into allegations of illicit wealth accumulation by the former minister. ACC Deputy Director Md Mashiur Rahman confirmed that officials entered the apartments around 10:30 a.m. to commence the inventory, acting under a court order.

The operation is being conducted in compliance with a court directive, which appointed the director of the ACC's Asset Management Unit as receiver. The court has authorized entry into the locked apartments to prepare the inventory, even in the accused's absence. Gulshan Revenue Circle Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md Niloy Rahman has been appointed as the executive magistrate to facilitate this process. The two apartments in question measure 3,747 square feet and 3,832 square feet, respectively.

Allegations that Saifuzzaman Chowdhury amassed significant assets abroad surfaced prior to the 2024 parliamentary elections. Following a change in political leadership after mass protests later that year, the ACC launched an inquiry. This inquiry led to the filing of multiple cases against him, citing alleged corruption and irregularities during his tenure. Saifuzzaman Chowdhury served as the state minister for land from 2014 to 2018 and subsequently as the land minister from 2019 to 2023.

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The operation is being carried out in compliance with a court order. Our team has started preparing an inventory of the belongings in the flats