The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed separate cases against former Barguna-1 MP Dhirendra Debnath Shambhu and his wife Madhabi Debnath over allegations of amassing wealth beyond their known sources of income.
The ACC has also issued notices to Shambhu's son Sunam Debnath, daughters Shulka Debnath and Monisha Munmun, and Sunam’s wife Kaspiya Talukdar, asking them to submit their wealth statements.
ACC Director General Akhtar Hossain disclosed the information on Wednesday, saying that Shambhu acquired movable and immovable assets worth Tk54.12 crore, which are inconsistent with his known sources of income.
He is accused of conducting abnormal and suspicious transactions totalling Tk419.32 crore across 16 bank accounts and committing punishable offences involving money laundering.
According to the commission report, the investigation against Shambhu began on August 25.
Shambhu, who served as the district Awami League president for over three decades, was elected MP from Barguna-1 five times.
Allegations persist that he amassed hundreds of crores through corruption, irregularities, and political exploitation at the district level.
Another case accuses Shambhu and his wife Madhabi of colluding to acquire Tk20.24 crore worth of illegal assets by abusing his position of power.
Madhabi is also alleged to have conducted suspicious transactions worth Tk84.56 crore across seven bank accounts.
The ACC has summoned wealth statements from Sunam Debnath and Kaspiya Talukdar, accusing them of illegally acquiring Tk96.58 lakh and Tk49.88 lakh respectively by exploiting Shambhu's influence.
Notices were also issued against Shulka Debnath and Monisha Munmun, who are accused of acquiring Tk68.91 lakh and other unexplained assets.
The charges against Shambhu were brought under Section 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2004, Sections 4(2) and 4(3) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act 2012, and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1947.
