ACC questions ex-commissioner Zahurul Haque

The Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday questioned former commissioner Md Zahurul Haque for nearly three hours as part of an investigation into allegations of bribery, abuse of power, fraud and money laundering.

The ACC also filed 12 cases against the former managing director of NRB Global Bank and Reliance Finance Limited PK Halder, and 34 others over a Tk 433.96 crore loan-embezzlement scheme.

ACC Public Relations Officer Aktarul Islam said no further details could be disclosed as the inquiry is ongoing.

Zahurul is being investigated for allegedly abusing his position to receive financial benefits from accused persons in pending cases, fraudulently acquiring a plot from Rajuk, and taking large bribes from two major telecom operators.

Meanwhile, the ACC filed 12 cases against 35 people, including PK Halder, over the embezzlement of Tk 433.96 crore through fake loans taken in the names of 12 shell and paper-based companies.

The accused created loan accounts in the names of newly formed, non-operational companies using forged and fabricated documents.

The other accused include former FAS Finance and Investment Limited chairman Md Siddiqur Rahman, Mahfuza Rahman Baby, Mohammad Abdul Hafiz and Abdul Motalib Ahmed.