The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided to launch a formal investigation against its former chairman, Iqbal Mahmood.
Confirming the development on Monday, a senior ACC official said that this is the first time in the country’s history that a former chairman of the commission is facing an investigation.
ACC sources said that allegations of close business collusion have emerged between family members of controversial health sector contractor Motazzerul Islam, alias Mithu, and former ACC chairman Iqbal Mahmood.
Iqbal Mahmood’s brother, Sadiq Mahmood Bakul, had reportedly been a business associate of contractor Mithu. Taking advantage of this relationship, they allegedly became involved in widespread irregularities and corruption in the health sector. However, due to Iqbal Mahmood’s influence, both Mithu and Bakul remained out of reach for a long time, the sources said.
Iqbal Mahmood allegedly received two flats in the capital’s elite neighbourhood of Gulshan from contractor Mithu.
The ACC obtained important information from Mithu while he was on remand after his arrest on 11 September in connection with widespread irregularities in the health sector, money laundering, and the involvement of influential individuals. ACC sources said the decision to investigate former chairman Iqbal Mahmood was based on this information.
The commission is also investigating several other allegations against the former chairman, including accepting bribes, acquiring assets beyond known income, laundering money abroad, and building a house in Canada using laundered funds.
He allegedly played a role in covering up the BASIC Bank scandal, showed reluctance to investigate corruption in Biman, and granted impunity to senior Awami League leaders facing corruption allegations.
Meanwhile, ACC Director General (Money Laundering) Md Mokammel Haque said no investigation officer has been appointed yet, but the commission has decided to investigate all allegations against him.
When asked, ACC Director General (Prevention) Md Akhter Hossain, who also serves as spokesperson for the commission, said he was not aware of the development.
Iqbal Mahmood took over as the fifth chairman of the ACC on 14 March 2016 and completed his tenure on 9 March 2021.
LND/SAE
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