Former MP Shamsul Haque dismisses ACC case decision as 'baseless'

Former lawmaker of Chattogram-12 (Patiya) and ex-chief whip of parliament Shamsul Haque Chowdhury has rejected the decision of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to file a case against him, calling the allegations "baseless and conspiratorial."

On 8 March, the ACC filed a case against the former whip on charges of acquiring wealth acquiring assets worth Tk5,08,58,595 beyond known sources of income.

In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page around 5pm yesterday (9 March), the former MP explained his position following the commission's decision.

In the post, Shamsul said the allegations raised against him over alleged accumulation of wealth beyond known sources of income were not accurate. He claimed the decision to file a case was taken before he was given the opportunity to provide a full explanation to the ACC.

He also described the move as part of political vendetta linked to the previous government led by Muhammad Yunus.

The former MP said the ACC had previously conducted an inquiry into similar allegations against him based on complaints from what he described as a "vested group".

According to him, the commission carried out an investigation for about four years but later concluded the inquiry after finding no evidence of wrongdoing and cleared him of the accusations.

He described the repetition of the same allegations as harassment.

Shamsul said that if a fair and impartial investigation is conducted, his income and assets will be found consistent with the information submitted in his tax files.

He added that details of both movable and immovable assets owned by him and his family, along with their sources of income, have been regularly submitted to the relevant authorities.

The former lawmaker also said he has been involved in business for more than four decades in sectors including garments, real estate, commercial buildings, engineering and information technology, and that he is a regular top-tier taxpayer.

He further noted that his late father, Alhaj Nurul Karim Chowdhury, had owned commercial buildings and businesses in the Reazuddin Bazar area of Chattogram since the Pakistan period, which he described as part of the family's longstanding business foundation.

Shamsul Haque Chowdhury said documents exist to support the sources and legality of the assets questioned in the ACC allegations.

Expressing confidence in the country's legal system, he said the truth would be established through the courts and that he and his family would ultimately be cleared of the accusations.

He also said he has faced various smear campaigns and conspiracies in the past and may face more in the future, but would address them through legal means.