ACC sues ex-MP Dhirendra, wife for acquiring Tk9.5 crore illegal wealth

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed two separate cases against former member of parliament Dhirendra Debnath Shambhu and his wife Madhabi Debnath for acquiring illegal wealth worth Tk9.5 crore beyond known sources of income.

The cases were filed today (29 January) based on findings by ACC that Dhirendra along with his wife and three children had acquired wealth illegally, the commission's Deputy Director Md Aktarul Islam said.

The ACC has also asked to submit wealth statements of Dhirendra's son Sunam Debnath, two daughters Shulka Debnath and Monisha Munmun and Sunam's wife Kaspiya Talukder.

Aktarul said Dhirendra had acquired moveable and immoveable assets worth Tk5.41 crore illegally while he was holding important position in the government. "He has committed punishable offence by exchanging and transforming Tk24.94 crore abnormally and suspiciously through 16 bank accounts in his name."

"ACC brought allegations against the accused following Section 27(1) of ACC Act 2004, Sections 4(2) and 4(3) of Money Laundering Prevention Act 2012 and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1947," he added.

In the other case, the ACC brought allegations against Dhirendra's wife Madhabi for acquiring Tk2.02 crore beyond known sources of income and depositing Tk4.47 crore suspiciously into seven bank accounts in her name using the power enjoyed by her husband and through aiding each other.

The ACC has also brought allegations against Dhirendra's son Sunam and Sunam's wife Kaspiya for acquiring wealth worth Tk96.54 lakh and Tk49.88 lakh respectively beyond known sources of income through misusing Dhirendra's power.

Meanwhile, ACC brought allegations against Dhirendra's daughters Shulka for acquiring Tk68.91 lakh and Monisha for acquiring illegal wealth.

The commission has issued a notice asking for their wealth statements, Aktarul said.