Land, plots, flats of former GMP commissioner Nazrul seized

A Dhaka court today (23 March) ordered the seizure of lands, plots and flats of former Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) commissioner Mollah Nazrul Islam along with freezing of shares worth of Tk55 lakh.

Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain Ghalib issued the order in response to a plea filed by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), confirmed ACC Public Relations Division Deputy Director Aktarul Islam.

The seized immovable assets included 2.5-katha plot worth of Tk12 lakh at Aftabnagar in the city, 4-katha plot worth Tk15 lakh at Police Officers' Housing Society in Badda and 3.68 katha land worth Tk15 lakh at the same place in the city, and 6.35 katha land worth Tk5 lakh at Purbachal in Narayanganj.

The seized immovable assets also included two flats and car parking spot with a deed value of Tk1.14 crore at Rampura in the city.

In the appeal, the ACC said accused Mollah Nazrul Islam, while serving as a public servant, committed a punishable offense by acquiring and possessing assets of Tk94 lakh through corruption that were inconsistent with his known source of income.

A case has been filed against him under ACC Act on 26 February. The commission learnt from confidential sources that Mollah Nazrul is trying to sell, transfer or handover his property elsewhere, according to ACC. 

The application read that if these immovable assets are transferred or handed over before the case is disposed of, there is a risk of loss to the state. Therefore, it is necessary to seize the immovable assets and confiscate the movable assets and appoint a receiver.

Mollah Nazrul Islam was arrested from Sarda Police Academy with the help of Rajshahi District Police on 8 February. The next day on 9 February, the court granted him a five-day remand in a case filed against him for attempting to murder student Fahim Hossain Zubair. He is currently in jail.