ACC approves chargesheet against GK Shamim

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has approved the charge sheet against Golam Kibria Shamim, alias GK Shamim, and his mother Ayesha Akter on Tuesday, alleging illegal acquisition of Tk297.39 crore.

Shamim was arrested at the beginning of last year's anti-casino drive.

Several top ACC sources confirmed the news to The Business Standard. They said the charge sheet will be submitted to judicial court soon.

According to ACC sources, the agency did not find any anomalies in their assets during the inquiry of the case. Assets worth Tk30 lakh were found over and above the assets accounted for in the statement.

On October 21, 2019, ACC Deputy Director Md Salahuddin filed a case against GK Builders owner GK Shamim and his mother Ayesha Akhter on charges of acquiring illegal assets worth Tk297.89 crore. He conducted an inquiry into the case.

According to the inquiry report, until 2018-2019 tax year, Shamim was the owner of immovable property worth Tk50 crore. Although Tk40.21 crore was mentioned in tax documents, the ACC could not trace any valid source of this money.

Also, no legitimate sources were found, either of Tk1.81 crore or of foreign currency worth Tk7.48 lakh, seized from GK Shamim's office and residence.

The report also stated that ACC could not find any valid source of Tk165.27 crores in Fixed Deposit Receipts (FDR) in the names of Shamim and his mother Ayesha Akter. A source was also not found of Ayesha Akhter's business partnership, valued at Tk43.57 crore.

Also, no legal sources were found of GKB & Company's movable assets, e.g., shares, cars, and FDRs worth Tk36.35 crore.

GK Shamim, known as an influential contractor of Sabujbagh, Basabo and Motijheel areas of the capital, was arrested on 20 September last year.

Rapid Action Battalion members seized illegal firearms and FDRs worth Tk 165 crore, and Tk 1.8 crore in cash and foreign currencies from his residence and office in Niketan.

The elite force later filed three cases against Shamim with Gulshan Police Station on 21 September: one under narcotics control, another under money-laundering prevention, and the other under arms acts.

A trial in a money laundering case has begun against GK Shamim and seven of his bodyguards.

According to the charge sheet filed by Criminal Investigation Department (C|ID), GK Shamim holds FDRs of around Tk337 crore in 180 banks in the country. He also owns about 52 kathas of land in Dhaka, including two houses worth nearly Tk41 crore.

Accompanied by his seven armed bodyguards, GK Shamim extorted money through tenders, intimidating people in bus terminals and cattle markets, it added.