ACC denies targeting Asif Mahmood in corruption probe

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has denied launching an investigation specifically targeting Asif Mahmood Sajeeb Bhuiyan, spokesperson for the National Citizen Party (NCP) and a former adviser to the interim government.

ACC Secretary Saidur Rahman Khan made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists at a briefing on Monday.

Asked why the investigation had been initiated against Asif and whether similar action was being taken against other former advisers facing allegations, the ACC secretary said the commission was not targeting anyone.

“We are not doing this by targeting anyone. Since these matters were pending, we are presenting them according to the pending list,” he said.

Saidur said the commission had been unable to function for more than five months due to the absence of a commission, leaving many matters pending.

These cases are now being reviewed and addressed gradually, he added.

He said allegations against anyone would be examined and dealt with in accordance with the law.

The ACC secretary also rejected allegations that the commission was being influenced politically or by any other quarter.

“We are an autonomous and independent institution. We are not conducting any case under anyone’s influence or for any ulterior motive,” he said, adding that the commission was carrying out its activities fairly and in accordance with the law.

The ACC recently said it had received fresh allegations against Asif involving money laundering, financial transactions in appointments and transfers, and commissions in development projects and tenders.

The allegations have been added to an ongoing inquiry against him.

The allegations include claims of financial irregularities in appointments to government positions, tender-related activities and development projects.

However, the allegations remain subject to investigation and have not been established as facts.

Asif served as an adviser to the interim government before resigning in December 2025 and later joined the NCP, becoming the party’s spokesperson.