Dhaka, Sept 19 (V7N) – Abul Kalam Azad, former personal secretary (PS) to ex-Religious Affairs Minister Principal Matiur Rahman, has been accused of amassing illegal wealth of Tk 12 crore 34 lakh through bribery and corruption. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a case against him on Thursday, confirmed ACC Public Relations Officer Md. Akhtarul Islam.

According to the case filed by ACC Deputy Assistant Director Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, Azad allegedly abused his official position to solicit money from individuals in exchange for facilitating favors and other interventions. Investigations revealed that he had concealed assets worth Tk 16 crore 3 lakh in his 2022 wealth statement submission, out of a total declared wealth of Tk 18 crore 4 lakh.

Records indicate that from the start of his career until the 2022–23 fiscal year, Azad earned Tk 15 crore 17 lakh. After verification, only Tk 4 crore 60 lakh of his income was found legitimate. Along with personal loans of Tk 1 crore 58 lakh, his acceptable total income is Tk 6 crore 19 lakh. He failed to provide valid records for the remaining Tk 8 crore 98 lakh of income reported in his tax filings, which has been deemed illicit.

Further review of his wealth statement shows immovable assets of Tk 2 crore 87 lakh and movable assets of Tk 15 crore 17 lakh, totaling Tk 18 crore 4 lakh. Comparing his expenditures against legitimate income, investigators concluded that Tk 12 crore 34 lakh of his assets are inconsistent with his known sources of income.

Azad has been charged under the Anti-Corruption Prevention Act for acquiring wealth beyond his lawful means through misuse of authority.

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