ACC set to press charges against businessman Sahedul

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is set to submit a charge sheet against businessman Sahedul Haque for allegedly acquiring more than Tk32 crore in illegal assets.

ACC spokesperson Pranab Kumar Bhattacharjee said the charge sheet was approved at a meeting of the commission on Wednesday.

According to ACC sources, Sahedul Haque lives in the United States.

He is a nephew of Aziz Mohammad Bhai – a businessman and film producer who is alleged to have been involved in several serious offenses.

Sahedul Haque allegedly had collusion with casino dealers.

The sources said once he was close to the officials of Hawa Bhaban – the alternative powerhouse of the then BNP-led coalition government.

The name of businessman Sahedul Haque came up in the discussion after the news came out that he had withdrawn Tk14 crore in cash from a bank at the beginning of the anti-casino campaign in 2019.

Sahedul's name came up in the list prepared by the ACC at the initial stage of investigation.

Following the investigation, ACC Assistant Director Mamunur Rashid Chowdhury filed a case against Sahedul on 12 December 2019, alleging illegal acquisition of assets worth more than Tk13 crore.

Rashid Chowdhury himself investigated the case.

During the investigation, the graft watchdog got information and evidence of more illegal assets worth Tk23 crore acquired by Sahedul.

Therefore, a charge sheet is being filed against Sahedul for acquiring and possessing illegal assets worth Tk32.61 crore.

The ACC said the charge sheet would be filed in the court soon.