Shilpakala Academy DG denies all corruption allegations
The allegations against him are merely propaganda, he claims
File photo of Liaquat Ali Lucky Collected
Tribune Report
Publish : 16 Jan 2022, 08:58 PMUpdate : 16 Jan 2022, 09:01 PM
Liaquat Ali Lucky, director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, has denied allegations of his involvement in embezzling government funds and abuse of power.
The Shilpakala Academy DG rejected the allegations against him during his interrogation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday. A team led by ACC Deputy Director Mohammad Ibrahim and Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya conducted the questioning.
Liaquat Ali Lucky said he had not put his signature on any false bills used to embezzle funds and claimed that allegations to that effect were propaganda.
He also urged journalists to publish authentic news reports.
According to the DG, media reports said he had been accused of misappropriating Tk26 crore. He claimed, though, that the correct amount was Tk21 crore. Of the amount, he had returned Tk8 crore while the remaining Tk13 crore was spent on salaries, bonuses, municipal tax, and electricity bills, as well as on various other things.
Around Tk1.5 crore was deposited as VAT, he added.
Several months ago, the ACC said it had received corruption allegations against Liaquat Ali Lucky, a prominent cultural figure who has been at the helm of Shilpakala Academy for more than 12 years.
His contract was last renewed for three years on April 13 last year.
He was accused of embezzling Tk26 crore by appointing a director on a contractual basis, abusing power, and violating the rules and regulations of the academy, according to the complaint.
When the former secretary of Shilpakala Academy, Nowshad Hossain, was transferred on June 30 last year, the DG issued a new order the same day and appointed Syeda Mahbuba Karim, the contract director of the academy, as the secretary.
In his order, Mahbuba was asked to perform additional duties until a new secretary arrived. Mahbuba Karim continued her duties from June 30 to July 19.
On the first day of Syeda Mahbuba Karim’s taking up her additional responsibilities, the DG withdrew about Tk26 crore by having her sign various cheques.
Shilpakala Academy DG denies all corruption allegations
The allegations against him are merely propaganda, he claims
Liaquat Ali Lucky, director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, has denied allegations of his involvement in embezzling government funds and abuse of power.
The Shilpakala Academy DG rejected the allegations against him during his interrogation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday. A team led by ACC Deputy Director Mohammad Ibrahim and Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya conducted the questioning.
Liaquat Ali Lucky said he had not put his signature on any false bills used to embezzle funds and claimed that allegations to that effect were propaganda.
He also urged journalists to publish authentic news reports.
According to the DG, media reports said he had been accused of misappropriating Tk26 crore. He claimed, though, that the correct amount was Tk21 crore. Of the amount, he had returned Tk8 crore while the remaining Tk13 crore was spent on salaries, bonuses, municipal tax, and electricity bills, as well as on various other things.
Around Tk1.5 crore was deposited as VAT, he added.
Several months ago, the ACC said it had received corruption allegations against Liaquat Ali Lucky, a prominent cultural figure who has been at the helm of Shilpakala Academy for more than 12 years.
His contract was last renewed for three years on April 13 last year.
He was accused of embezzling Tk26 crore by appointing a director on a contractual basis, abusing power, and violating the rules and regulations of the academy, according to the complaint.
When the former secretary of Shilpakala Academy, Nowshad Hossain, was transferred on June 30 last year, the DG issued a new order the same day and appointed Syeda Mahbuba Karim, the contract director of the academy, as the secretary.
In his order, Mahbuba was asked to perform additional duties until a new secretary arrived. Mahbuba Karim continued her duties from June 30 to July 19.
On the first day of Syeda Mahbuba Karim’s taking up her additional responsibilities, the DG withdrew about Tk26 crore by having her sign various cheques.