The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided to investigate allegations of widespread corruption and financial irregularities in the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's third terminal project.
The decision came on Sunday during its regular meeting based on newspaper reporting and its internal primary investigations.
According to the ACC, primary investigations reports suggest that AKM Maksudul Islam, the project director, and other officials involved in the project engaged in numerous fraudulent practices.
Initially estimated at Tk7,000 crore, the project's cost escalated to Tk22,000 crore.
Allegations also include misappropriation of funds through misclassifying local equipment procurement as foreign purchases, manipulating soil testing results, and altering project designs to siphon off Tk900 crore.
Furthermore, major portions of the project were reportedly sold to contractors for commission-based trading, while lower-quality Chinese and Korean machinery replaced European-standard equipment specified in the tender.
The ACC report also highlights severe irregularities, including wasteful ceiling work and unnecessary tasks allegedly undertaken to appease former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, resulting in an additional loss of Tk12 crore.
A syndicate is believed to have embezzled Tk4,000 crore from the project overall, the commission’s report mentioned.
Separately, allegations emerged against Mohammad Mohsin, proprietor of Saad Musa Group, and Shamima Nargis, director of Meridian Finance Limited.
The pair are accused of creating shell companies under false identities to secure fraudulent loans from financial institutions, misappropriating approximately Tk5,000 crore in the process.
Several high-ranking officials from National Bank Limited, including, Nizam Ahmed, senior executive vice president and Manager, Istiak Hasan, SVP and manager, Md Abu Rashed Nowab, VP, Arun Kumar Haldar, EVP and credit committee member, and AFM Shariful Islam, managing director.
The investigation also includes directors of National Bank Limited, such as Jakaria Taher, Mabrur Hossain, and others, who are accused of enabling financial crimes through collusion and neglecting oversight.
Mohammad Mohsin is alleged to have embezzled Tk459.50 crore via the Agrabad branch of National Bank Limited, according to the commission’s findings.
