ACC to file case against Joy, Putul, 6 others over misappropriation of CRI funds
Akhtarul Islam, deputy director of the ACC, confirmed the decision to journalists today (5 November).
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided to file a case against eight individuals, including Sajeeb Wazed Joy, chairman of the Centre for Research and Information (CRI), and Saima Wazed Putul, trustee of CRI, for alleged misuse of power, tax exemption irregularities, and misappropriation of funds in favour of the organisation.
Akhtarul Islam, deputy director of the ACC, confirmed the decision to journalists today (5 November).
The other accused are Sheikh Rehana's son Radwan Mujib Siddiq, trustee of CRI; Nasrul Hamid, former state minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources; Sabbir Bin Shams, CRI executive director; Rowshan Ara Akhter, member of the National Board of Revenue; Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, former NBR chairman; and AHM Mustafa Kamal, former finance minister.
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According to the ACC inquiry report, the accused individuals, acting in collusion, allegedly misused provisions of the Income Tax Ordinance, 1984, to grant tax exemption benefits to CRI even though the organisation was not registered with the Department of Social Services.
The report states that CRI, while claiming to be a non-profit entity working for public welfare, unlawfully received tax benefits, causing financial losses to the government.
The inquiry further found that the accused collected grants from various institutions through pressure and lobbying.
A total of Tk45.35 crore was reportedly taken from 23 companies into CRI's accounts. The organisation allegedly earned Tk100.31 crore between the 2013–2014 and 2023–2024 fiscal years. After deducting admissible expenditures a shortfall of Tk15.68 crore was found.
The ACC stated that suspicious financial transactions totalling more than Tk439 crore were made through 25 bank accounts operated in the name of CRI.
Of this amount, Tk247.85 crore was deposited, and Tk191.21 crore was withdrawn.
In addition, the government allegedly suffered losses due to the non-payment of Tk36.52 lakh in income tax, in violation of Section 11(B) of Part-B of Schedule 6 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 1984.
The inquiry further noted that the transfer, conversion, and misappropriation of these funds amounted to money laundering under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012.
