Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sought a wide range of documents from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) as part of an ongoing investigation against former BCB President Nazmul Hasan Papon.
The ACC has been investigating against Papon on his alleged corruption, irregularities, embezzlement of public funds and acquisition of wealth beyond known sources of income and money laundering through Hundi networks.
According to an ACC notice served by Deputy Director and Investigation team leader Md. Saiduzzaman, the BCB has been asked to provide various records and information in connection with the probe, ACC Public Relations Deputy Director Akhtarul Islam confirmed.
The ACC has formed a three-member investigation team comprising Deputy Director Md. Saiduzzaman as team leader and Assistant Director Mohammad Mominul Islam and Deputy Assistant Director Subil Chakma as members.
The allegations stated that Nazmul Hasan Papon, Managing Director of Beximco Pharmaceuticals and others are accused of embezzling funds from BCB and other government funds through irregularities and corruption.
He also acquired significant assets at home and abroad in his names and other family members beyond known sources of income, according to the allegation.
He also allegedly laundered money abroad in collaboration with officials including relatives working at Beximco Pharmaceuticals.
The ACC also sought financial records from Papon’s tenure, including audit reports, ICC and ACC fund receipts, Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) expenditures, logistics and protocol costs, foreign coach appointments, the “Cricket Celebrities Mujib-100” event, AR Rahman concert expenses and related financial documents.
In a separate notice, the ACC requested to send the records of all official orders issued during Papon’s tenure, AGM documents, board meeting expenditures, third-division cricket selection processes, foreign tour expenses, helicopter usage records, stadium development projects, sources of BCB revenue, BPL events held during Mujib Year celebrations, cricket ball imports and international tour-related documents.
Another letter also asked for media rights agreements, ticket sales data from three to 11 BPL seasons, financial accounts of Mujib Centenary celebrations, third-division cricket entry fees, information on BCB presidents and board members since 2008, ICC and ACC fund receipts on a yearly basis and internal audit and investigation reports.
The ACC has requested the BCB to submit the certified copies of all documents within five working days.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
