The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against Md. Zahid Ahsan Russel, the former Minister of State for Youth and Sports under the deposed autocratic government, for illegally amassing wealth. The ACC has also ordered him to submit a detailed statement of assets held in his wife’s name.
ACC Director General Md. Akhtar Hossain confirmed the case to the media on Sunday. He stated that Russel possesses assets worth Tk 5.74 crore, while his legitimate income sources account for only Tk 2.08 crore. The remaining Tk 3.65 crore, which has no verifiable source, was allegedly acquired through abuse of power, criminal misconduct, and dishonest means.
Investigators found that Russel concealed income by withdrawing, transferring, and converting a total of Tk 17.50 crore, including suspicious deposits of Tk 8.87 crore and Tk 8.63 crore across five banks. As a result, the ACC has filed charges against him under Section 27(1) of the ACC Act, 2004, Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, and Sections 4(2) and 4(3) of the Money Laundering Act, 2012.
The investigation also revealed that Tk 48.25 lakh worth of assets are registered in the name of his wife, Tahera Khadija. Her reported income amounts to Tk 31.53 lakh, while family expenditures are recorded at Tk 27.88 lakh. The discrepancy leaves Tk 20.36 lakh in assets without an acceptable source. Due to this, the ACC has issued an order under Section 26(1) of the ACC Act, 2004, requiring her to submit a full statement of assets.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
