The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into Jatiya Party Chairman Golam Mohammad (GM) Quader over allegations of trading party positions, engaging in nomination business and embezzling party funds through fraudulent means.
ACC Director General Md Akhter Hossain confirmed the development yesterday, saying that a covert probe had already uncovered preliminary evidence supporting the allegations against Quader.
Based on these findings, the commission has decided to proceed with an open investigation, which could lead to legal action if necessary.
According to the ACC, Quader fraudulently assumed the chairmanship of the Jatiya Party and later exploited his position to sell party posts and nominations, amassing a huge sum of money, a portion of which was allegedly siphoned abroad.
While the Jatiya Party’s central committee is officially limited to 301 members, the current number stands between 600 and 650—an indication of systemic position trading, the ACC claims.
ACC documents suggest that following the 2018 general election, Jatiya Party leaders allegedly accepted bribes totaling Tk18.1 crore in exchange for nominations to reserved women’s seats in Parliament.
Sources within the ACC claim that Quader, who was serving as the party’s acting chairman at the time, was the primary beneficiary of these transactions.
When a dispute arose over payments, Senior Party Leader Professor Masuda M Rashid Chowdhury temporarily suspended one of the involved members.
This suspension ultimately paved the way for Quader’s wife, Sharifa Quader, to be elected as an MP.
The allegations against Quader extend beyond party finances.
In his affidavit for the 2024 general election, he declared cash holdings of Tk49.88 lakh, bank savings of Tk35.95 lakh and ownership of a luxury jeep worth Tk84.98 lakh.
Meanwhile, his wife, Sharifa Quader, reported cash holdings of Tk59.59 lakh, bank savings of Tk28.09 lakh and a vehicle valued at Tk80 lakh.
However, the ACC alleges that Quader has illicit assets both in Bangladesh and abroad, including properties in Singapore, London and Sydney, held under various names.
A long-serving politician, Quader has been elected to Parliament from different constituencies since 1996 and has served multiple terms as Leader of the ppposition.
Between 2009 and 2014, he held ministerial positions in the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry as well as the Commerce Ministry.
However, with the ACC’s investigation underway, his past financial dealings and political actions are now under intense scrutiny.
