ACC to probe corruption allegations against Nazrul University VC Soumitra, ex-MP, ex-APS
A senior ACC official confirmed the matter to The Business Standard today (18 September)
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided to investigate allegations of corruption against Vice-Chancellor of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University Professor Soumitra Sekhar Dey, former Chattogram MP and former assistant private secretary (APS)-2 of ousted Sheikh Hasina.
A senior ACC official confirmed the matter to The Business Standard today (18 September).
According to ACC sources, since taking office, Professor Soumitra has allegedly misused his power to amass significant wealth through irregularities and corruption.
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He is accused of admitting students to the university in exchange for money during the 2021-22 batch admission tests.
Additionally, allegations include taking bribes for recruiting teachers and other employees in the university's Environmental Science Department, misappropriating government funds for vehicle fuel, and receiving a commission of Tk50,000 per crore by transferring the money deposited by different contractors from Sonali Bank to Rupali Bank.
Besides, he owns several properties, including a duplex house in Sherpur and flats in Dhaka's Dhanmondi and Uttara.
He is also accused of acquiring assets beyond known sources of income.
All these allegations were proven true during the initial investigation so the ACC decided to start a public inquiry, sources said.
Meanwhile, former MP of Chattogram-16 (Banshkhali) Mustafizur Rahman Chowdhury, is also facing accusations. His annual income allegedly surged from Tk15,000 in 2014 to Tk32,68,465 by 2024.
He owns a Toyota Prado, a Toyota Land Cruiser, ancestral land, a Rajuk plot, and a shop in Chawkbazar Super Market. His wife owns a five-storey building and a flat in Dhaka's Kafrul area.
The ACC suspected that he and his relatives have acquired substantial wealth through recruitment dealings and acquiring assets beyond their known source of income.
Meanwhile, former APS-2 Gazi Hafizur Rahman Liku is accused of acquiring massive wealth during his tenure through the misuse of power.
Allegations include purchasing acres of lands and flats illegally under his wife's and relatives' names, including flat in Dhaka's Mohammadpur, a government plot in Uttara Sector 17, a five-storey building on his ancestral land in Gopalganj, a 10-storey commercial, and a residential building and a resort in Kuakata.
