The Anti-Corruption Commission is conducting an inquiry into allegations that some non-resident Bangladeshis (NRB) sold their specially allocated plots from Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) to launder the money abroad.
An ACC official, who is also part of the inquiry team, told the Dhaka Tribune that the commission had received allegations that some expatriates were receiving plots from Rajuk under the NRB quota and later selling those plots to their close ones, and sometimes laundering the money abroad. The commission assigned a five member probe committee, led by its
Deputy Director SM Sahidur Rahman, to conduct inquiry into the allegation, he also said.
Around 4,000 NRBs allegedly sold their Rajuk allocated plots to their close ones, as soon as they received the land documents, the official said.
Claiming that such transactions were illegal, he said: “The NRBs have to use their lands in person as per the law. But, they are selling their plots and acquiring assets with this money. We have allegations that some people have already laundered the money abroad, which was generated from the sale of such plots.”
The official said some of the NRBs were using innovative ways to carry out the irregularities.
“These people are misusing the power of attorney system. They are giving power of attorney to their dear ones; and later their dear ones are selling the plots. So it is not an easy task to identify all of them, but we are collecting evidences and documents,” he said.
“Now, we are busy with preparing the list of persons involved, and then, we will take statements from all of them,” he said, adding: “It will take time to conduct the inquiry since the number of such people would be very high.”
Regarding the irregularities, Rajuk member (planning) Sheikh Abdul Mannan told the Dhaka Tribune that if any NRB wanted to sell their Rajuk allocated property, they had to take permission from Rajuk prior to such transactions.
“We have a quota system for non-resident Bangladeshi people in each of our plot and flat projects. After having such privilege, if they are doing such misdeeds, that would be very depressing,” he said.
“If anyone wants to sell such plot or flats, they will need to take permission from Rajuk. Further permission from Bangladesh Bank is needed to take the money abroad,” Mannan said. He also said if the procedure was not being followed properly, this would be an offense under Money Laundering Prevention Act.