Staff Reporter:
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday filed a case against eight individuals, including Cen-tre for Research and Information (CRI) chairman Sajeeb Wazed Joy and vice-chairperson Saima Wazed Putul, for alleged tax evasion, embezzlement of state funds, and money laundering linked to implement-ing political agendas.
ACC Director General Md Akhtar Hossain disclosed the development during a regular press briefing yesterday.
Others named in the case include Radwan Mujib Siddiq, a trustee of CRI and son of Sheikh Rehana; former State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, also a trustee board member; CRI Executive Director Sabbir Bin Shams; National Board of Revenue (NBR) member Row-shan Ara Akhter; former NBR chairman Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiya and former Finance Minister ANH Mustafa Kamal.
According to the ACC, the accused allegedly misused provisions of the Income Tax Ordinance-1984 to grant CRI tax exemptions despite the organization not being registered with the Department of Social Services.
The commission said CRI, claiming to be a non-profit working for public welfare, unlawfully received tax benefits, resulting in financial losses to the government.
The inquiry also found that the accused pressured and lobbied various institutions to obtain grants, with CRI reportedly receiving Tk 45.35 crore from 23 companies.
Between the 2013-2014 and 2023-2024 fiscal years, the organization reportedly earned Tk 100.31 crore, with a shortfall of Tk 15.68 crore after deducting legitimate expenditures.
The ACC further stated that CRI conducted suspicious financial transactions totaling Tk 439.07 crore through 25 bank accounts, of which Tk 247.85 crore was deposited and Tk 191.21 crore withdrawn.
Non-payment of Tk 36.52 lakh in income tax was also noted as a violation of section 11(B) of part-B of schedule-6 of the Income Tax Ordinance-1984.
The commission added that the transfer, conversion, and misappropriation of these funds constituted money laundering under the Money Laundering Prevention Act-2012.
The case was filed under section 409/109 of the Bangladesh Penal Code, section 5(2) of the Corruption Prevention Act-1947, and sub-sections two and three of section 4 of the Money Laundering Prevention Act-2012.
