The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against Councilor Moniruzzaman of Teknaf Municipality in Cox's Bazar. A case has been filed on Tuesday on charges of concealment of immovable assets amounting to Tk 58 lakh in the asset statement submitted to ACC and earning Tk 40 crore inconsistently with the declared income.
Deputy Assistant Director of ACC Integrated District Office (SJECA) Cox's Bazar Nashrullah Hossain has filed this case as plaintiff. This is the 3rd case of Sajeka Cox's Bazar. This irregularity has come out after examining his income and expenditure during the period from 2014 to 2019.
Defendant Md. Moniruzzaman (47) is the son of deceased Hossain Ahmed of School Road area of South Jaliapara, Ward No. 8 of Teknaf Municipality. He is currently the 8th ward councilor of the municipality.
In the statement of the case, it is mentioned that in the statement of assets submitted by Moniruzzaman to the ACC, the information of acquisition of immovable assets worth Tk 58 lakh 44 thousand 256 has been concealed. Information has been found that wealth of Tk 4 crore 31 lakh 46 thousand 703 was acquired inconsistently with known source of income by misusing power as public representative. Which is an offense punishable under Section 26(2) and 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, Section 4(2) and 4(3) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2012 and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.
Deputy Assistant Director of ACC Nashrullah Hossain said, during the investigation of E/R No. 28/2017 of ACC, Sajeka, Chittagong-2, the initial truth of the allegation against Moniruzzaman of acquiring wealth beyond the known income was found. On the order of the ACC, head office, an order was issued on April 25, 2019 to submit his asset statement. He sought time and filed the asset statement on 15 May 2019 at ACC, Sajeka, Chittagong-2. The said statement Moniruzzaman provided the information of acquisition of immovable assets of Tk 3 crore 55 lakh 34 thousand 100 in his filed statement of assets. But during verification of asset statement, immovable assets of Tk 4 crore 13 lakh 78 thousand 356 were found in his name. In this case, he concealed the information of acquisition of immovable assets of Tk 58 lakh 44 thousand 256.
He also mentioned that his total acquired wealth including expenditure from 2012-13 to 2019-20 financial year is Tk 4 crore 94 lakh 19 thousand 12. Against the acquisition of the said wealth, his legitimate and acceptable source of income is found to be 63 lakh 52 thousand 309 taka. According to him, by misusing the power vested in him as a public representative, he acquired assets worth Tk. Which is a punishable offense under the ACC Act.
Therefore ACC Act, Sections 26(2) and 27(1) of 2004, Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2012 4(2) and 4(3) which along with Section 5(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 have registered the case against Moniruzzaman. Cox's Bazar Deputy Director Monirul Islam has done.
ACC Szeka Cox's Bazar Deputy Director Monirul Islam said that after examining his income from December 24, 2014 to May 15, 2019, an irregular income of Tk 40 million was found. A case was registered against him on the orders of higher authorities. This is the case of Cox's Bazar office. The journey here started with the first case against the surveyor Atiq of Cox's Bazar District Commissioner's office. The second case was filed against a woman named Rozina, known as 'Yaba Queen'. The accused in the third case is Teknaf Municipality councilor Moniruzzaman.
Accused councilor Moniruzzaman said on the phone, "My income tax file has been running since 2007." All the income and expenses are recorded there. No income tax. I gave the asset statement as required by ACC, did not hide anything. Even then, if they get my illegal wealth and file a case, I will deal with it legally.
