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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated an investigation into allegations of corruption, nepotism, and acquisition of illegal wealth against six officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR). The ACC’s Deputy Director (Public Relations), Md. Akhtarul Islam, confirmed the development on Sunday, June 29.
The accused officials are:
1. AKM Badiul Alam, Member (Income Tax Policy), NBR
2. Mirza Ashik Rana, Additional Tax Commissioner, Tax Zone-8, Dhaka
3. Mohammad Morshed Uddin Khan, Joint Tax Commissioner, BCS Tax Academy
4. Monalisa Shahreen Susmita, Deputy Tax Commissioner, Tax Zone-16, Dhaka
5. Hasan Tarek Rikabdar, Additional Commissioner, Audit, Intelligence, and Investigation Directorate, Value Added Tax, Dhaka
6. Sadhan Kumar Kundu, Additional Commissioner, Customs, Excise, and VAT Commissionerate, Dhaka (South).
The allegations state that over the past 20-25 years, these officials, while serving in various capacities, facilitated tax, VAT, and customs evasion for individuals and entities, causing financial losses to the state while personally benefiting. They are also accused of amassing illegal wealth beyond their known sources of income. Notably, Hasan Tarek Rikabdar is the president of the NBR Reform Unity Council, which has been leading a nationwide “complete shutdown” movement demanding the removal of the NBR chairman.
Meanwhile, Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed stated that no meeting is scheduled with the protesting NBR officials on Sunday. Speaking to journalists at the Finance Ministry, he remarked, “If the officials want to continue their shutdown program, they are free to do so.” He added that the ongoing NBR protests were discussed in the Advisers’ Council, and a detailed press release would be issued soon.
Earlier, an NBR source had indicated that a meeting between the agitating officials and the Finance Adviser was scheduled for 4:00 PM on Sunday to resolve the deadlock. However, the meeting has been canceled.
