The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into corruption allegations against former mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation, Dr Selina Hayat Ivy, and two former members of parliament -- Ayesha Ferdaus and Ranajit Kumar Roy.
ACC Deputy Director and Public Relations Officer Md Akhtarul Islam confirmed the matter on Thursday.
He said that after Ivy was elected as the city mayor, she appointed Abul Hossain as her personal assistant. Abul Hossain allegedly abused his power to extort millions of taka from CNG and battery-operated autorickshaws.
Ivy reportedly owns four to five flats in Narayanganj city under her name. Her personal assistant, Arif Hossain, was appointed as a teacher at a school rather than in the relevant position. Additionally, Ivy's driver owns two flats in two different locations in Narayanganj city.
Meanwhile, Ivy's two brothers are accused of embezzling millions from a waste management project in Siddhirganj.
Ivy has also allegedly demolished the historic club in Narayanganj to build a market and occupied 18 acres of Bangladesh Railway land to construct Sheikh Russel Park.
Besides these assets and corruption, the ACC's preliminary investigation has revealed further illicitly acquired wealth in her name, her dependents, and close relatives.
Consequently, the commission has decided to pursue an open investigation into her corruption.
ACC Deputy Director Akhtarul Islam further said that former Noakhali-6 MP Ayesha Ferdaus has amassed considerable wealth through abuse of power, irregularities, and corruption.
Her notable assets include a multi-story building in Hatiya Bazar, a three-storey house, and a four-storey market in Pushali Bazar. Her husband also owns substantial cash, bank funds, vehicles, and a fishery business.
Prior to 2009, Ayesha Ferdaus was a typical housewife with no income sources. After being elected MP, she accumulated large amounts of illicit wealth both domestically and abroad, in her own name and through dependents.
The ACC's deputy director added that former MP Ranajit Kumar Roy of Jessore-4 is suspected of acquiring vast illegal wealth through abuse of power.
In the 2008 national elections, his declared assets were worth Tk4.10 lakh, including Tk70,000 in his wife's name and Tk15,000 worth of gold.
By 2023, these assets had surged to Tk4.49 crore, with his wife's assets totaling Tk1.47 crore.
His son, Rajib Kumar Ray, received a 5% commission from a contracting firm. The family owns properties in Salt Lake, India.
