Staff Reporter:
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday launched a probe against six senior officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) on charges of corruption, abuse of power and nepotism in facilitating illegal benefits for individuals and institutions over the past two decades.
ACC Director General Akhtar Hossain disclosed the development at a press briefing held at the Commis-sion’s headquarters in the capital’s Segagicha.
The six officials under investigation are: AKM Badiul Alam, Member (Income Tax Policy); Mirza Ashiq Rana, Additional Tax Commissioner, Tax Zone-8, Dhaka; Mohammad Morshed Uddin Khan, Joint Tax Commissioner, BCS Tax Academy; Monalisa Shahreen Sushmita, Deputy Tax Commissioner, Tax Zone-16, Dhaka; Hasan Tarek Rikabdar, Additional Commissioner, Audit, Intelligence and Investigation Di-rectorate, VAT, Dhaka; and Sadhan Kumar Kundu, Additional Commissioner, Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate, Dhaka (South).
Among them, Hasan Tarek serves as the president of the NBR Reform Unity Parishad, which is currently leading a movement seeking structural reform of the board instead of its dissolution.
When asked if the inquiry was linked to the officials’ involvement in the ongoing protest, the ACC offi-cial said there was no connection.
He said the investigation is based on specific allegations and the recommendation of the preliminary scrutiny committee that reviewed complaints submitted to the Commission.
Hasan Tarek said the officials are accused of enabling tax evasion, providing undue tax benefits, and engaging in corrupt practices across various postings over the last 15–20 years.
“They abused their positions to assist individuals and institutions in evading duties, VAT and income taxes. In return, they received personal financial benefits, causing significant revenue losses to the state,” he said.
According to the ACC, the officials allegedly accepted bribes in exchange for reducing tax liabilities and, in some cases, filed false cases against business owners when demands for bribes were not met.
Akhtar further said that there are reports that tax refunds were deliberately delayed, and taxpayers were compelled to offer bribes or gifts—sometimes amounting to half the refundable amount—to receive the dues.
He warned that if further allegations surface against others, those will also be brought under investiga-tion.
“The Commission will not spare anyone involved in corrupt practices, regardless of their rank or posi-tion,” the ACC official said.
