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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sought four categories of documents from the Ministry of Youth and Sports as part of an inquiry into allegations of irregularities and corruption involving former adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, the ministry secretary and others, including alleged irregularities in appointments, promotions and transfers.
The information came from a letter sent by the ACC to the secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports on Thursday (September 3).
The letter, signed by ACC inquiry officer and Deputy Director Md Zahid Kalam, requested that the documents be sent to the commission’s headquarters by September 10.
Documents sought
The ACC has sought records relating to all appointments, promotions and transfers carried out at the Ministry of Youth and Sports during Asif Mahmud’s tenure as adviser.
It also requested certified copies of transfer-related documents issued under specific memorandums of the Ministry of Public Administration, records concerning the assignment, cancellation and posting of 38 Upazila Youth Development Officers, and personal files of specified Assistant Upazila Youth Development Officers working in Dhaka, Bogura, Barishal, Pabna, Dhamrai and Narsingdi.
The ACC has decided to investigate corruption allegations against former adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, Secretary Md Mahbub-ul-Alam, Joint Secretary Sheikh Mohammad Zobaied Hossain, Deputy Secretary Md Masum Ahmed and several other officials of the ministry.
ACC Deputy Director (Public Relations) Md Aktarul Islam confirmed the matter.
A three-member inquiry team was formed on Wednesday under the leadership of Deputy Director Md Zahid Kalam. The other members are Assistant Director Md Nasrullah Hossain, Deputy Assistant Director Imran Akon and Roman Uddin.
According to the allegations, Tk 7.6 million was allegedly collected through the cancellation of the current assignments of 38 Upazila Youth Development Officers and their posting to new positions.
The allegations further claim that Tk 15 million was collected from 150 Assistant Upazila Youth Development Officers on the promise of promotions, while another Tk 20 million was allegedly transacted for postings at their preferred locations.
The complaint alleges that a powerful syndicate was formed with the involvement of several senior ministry officials and corrupt officials of the Department of Youth Development, allegedly with the patronage of former adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan.
It further alleges that the accused not only engaged in transfer and promotion trading but also amassed large sums through corruption in various procurement and tender activities of the Department of Youth Development.
Several field-level officials have also been named in the allegations as members of the alleged syndicate.
Meanwhile, Asif Mahmud, a former adviser to the interim government and spokesperson for the National Citizens Party (NCP), denied the allegations at a press conference on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media, Asif challenged the ACC allegations, saying he was not personally involved in the promotion process.
He said ministerial approval was not required for the posting or promotion of Upazila or district-level youth development officials, as such decisions were made through the secretary.
According to Asif, the secretary was responsible for preparing the merit list of officials based on recommendations from the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC).
He maintained that the relevant legal and administrative procedures had been properly followed and said he was ready to provide any information, data or documents to the authorities to help establish the facts.
