ACC presses corruption charges

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Sunday pressed charges against Basundhara Group chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan alias Shah Alam, his wife and four sons for amassing wealth worth Tk 107.81 crore illegally and hiding information of asset worth Tk 14.17 crore. The ACC deputy assistant director, Mahbubur Rahman, also investigation officer of the case, submitted charge sheet to the chief metropolitan magistrates’ court. Shah Alam’s wife Afroza Begum, sons Sadat Sobhan, Safiat Sobhan, Sayem Sobhan and Safwan Sobhan have been accused of abetting the business tycoon, said the investigation officer in the charge sheet. The IO prayed for issuance of warrants for the arrest of Shah Alam and others and an order to attach their property as they have been absconding since the case was filed. In the charge sheet, the IO mentioned that wealth belonging to Shah Alam and his family is worth about Tk 625.43 crore. Out of this, Shah Alam and his family members have amassed wealth worth Tk 606.66 crore illegally and given false information about wealth worth Tk 14.17 crore to the ACC, alleged the investigation officer. The charge sheet also mentioned that out of the total illegal wealth, Shah Alam and family members earlier whitened Tk 498.84 crore, which has not been brought under trial. ACC deputy director Abdullah Al Zahid lodged the case with the Ramna police station on December 9, 2007, against Shah Alam, his wife and their sons. Shah Alam has already been convicted for dodging income tax and money laundering in other cases. All five members of the family are absconding.