ACC probing graft charges against ex-whip Hasnat, wife

The taskforce led by Major Sabbir included Rahela Begum, assistant director of central Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and two representatives from the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police. Local officials from the ACC and CID are also assisting the taskforce that arrived in Barisal on Sunday, the sources said.

After the team made a few visits in and around Barisal, it has discovered huge discrepancies on the asset statements of Hasnat and his wife Shahanara Abdullah. The statements were turned in to the ACC by Shahanara Abdullah, added the sources.

The task force is also investigating how Shahanara Abdullah became exceptionally rich. During the term of Awami League government, it is alleged that she and Hasnat's brother Kazi Kamal made huge amount of money through arranging appointments, transfers, promotions, tenders and various types of development work for the government.

Till filing of this report, the team visited and took measurements of Hasnat's houses in Barisal and at Agoiljhara. It also visited other assets owned by him -- different landed properties, bank accounts and items kept in lockers at banks.

The sources said the team collected documents from the land and income tax offices to verify land ownership and taxes paid by Hasnat and his family members.

At the Barisal Corporate Branch of Sonali Bank, the taskforce yesterday found Tk 44 lakh in fixed deposit under Hasnat's name. While checking his locker maintained with the same branch, the team recovered foreign currencies, check books from foreign banks, gold ornaments, valuable gift items and a number of documents.

The task force made a list of items recovered from the locker while Aman Serniabat, a cousin of Hasanat, was present as a witness, sources added.