The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is considering the investigation into allegations of corruption and fraudulence against Rongdhanu Group Chairman Rafiqul Islam.

ACC lawyer Shaheen Ahmed revealed the information today (March 19) during the hearing of the writ petition filed seeking directives to dispose of the appeal.

Upon learning this, Judges Md. Nazrul Islam Talukdar and Justice Kazi Ebadat Hossain of the High Court bench adjourned the hearing.

Advocate Md. Yamin Nawaz Khan and Ekhlas Uddin Bhuiyan stood for the petitioner while lawyer Shaheen Ahmed moved for the ACC.

Protection for Legal and Human Rights Foundation chief adviser Dr Sufi Sagar Shams filed an appeal to the ACC chairman to investigate the allegations of corruption, land fraud, coercion of money through torture, and deceitful practices against Rongdhanu Group Chairman Rafiqul Islam, on November 26 last year. He also submitted a copy of the application to the Bangladesh Bank.

Getting no response in this connection, he filed a writ petition with the High Court enclosing various reports published in the media regarding the corruption of Rafiqul Islam.

Lawyer Ekhlas Uddin Bhuiyan said, “An application was submitted by a human rights organization’s chief advisor Sufi Sagar Shams alleging that Rafiqul Islam, owner of Rogdhonu Group cheated people, committed irregularities and frauds at various times, and also requesting to investigate the matter.” 

Later, reports were published in this regard to the media. After that, Sagar filed a public interest litigation before the High Court after getting no response from the ACC, said the lawyer.

ACC during the hearing said – “Give us one month time. The application is under their our consideration,” he said adding the court then fixed the hearing after vacation Eid holidays.”

ACC lawyer Shaheen Ahmed said a human rights organization filed a writ against Rafiqul Islam, owner of Rogdhanu Group.  

“I have told the court that it is under consideration by the ACC. The commission is working on this matter. First, let's know the update of ACC. I also requested the court to put the writ on standover, and also to fix a date after vacation,” he said.

“The court then placed a standover and asked me for an update. I have already written to ACC in this regard,” Shaheen added.

The secretary (banking department) of the finance ministry, the secretary of the land ministry, the ACC chairman, the governor of Bangladesh Bank, the deputy governor (Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit), the MD of Union Bank, the MD of Social Islami Bank, the MD of First Securities Islami Bank and the chairman of Rongdhanu Group have been made defendant in the application.

BDST: 2159 HRS, MAR 19, 2024
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