Former Land Minister Saifuzzaman and Seven Others Charged with Bribery of 420 Million Taka

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against former Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, his wife Rukmila, and six others for allegedly accepting a bribe of 42 crore taka (420 million taka) through intimidation.

The case was lodged on Sunday, 28 September, at the ACC’s headquarters by Deputy Assistant Director Md. Rubel Hossain, acting as the complainant. A senior ACC official confirmed the filing to Dhaka Post.

The eight accused in the case are:

According to the FIR:

• The accused allegedly colluded to commit fraud and abuse of power.
• They allegedly intimidated customers and businessmen, including Saif Powertec Ltd and E-Engineering PLC managing director Tarfadar Ruhul Amin, to extract bribes in instalments totalling 41.75 crore taka.
• The money was later transferred, converted, and laundered abroad, constituting money laundering.

The charges invoke multiple legal provisions, including:

This is part of a broader investigation by the ACC into alleged corruption by Saifuzzaman Chowdhury and associates:

• On 18 September, a case was filed against Saifuzzaman, Rukmila, and nine others for allegedly coercing Abdul Kadir Molla, managing director of Thermex Group, into paying 52 crore taka in bribes.
• ACC is currently investigating nearly 124 crore taka embezzlement involving Saifuzzaman, Rukmila, and around fifty other officials.

Following a change in government, the ACC initiated investigations against the former minister.

Legal Proceedings

• The court has instructed the ACC to issue Interpol Red Notices against Saifuzzaman Chowdhury and Rukmila Jaman, enabling their international tracking and potential arrest.

The case highlights ongoing efforts to tackle high-level corruption in Bangladesh, particularly involving political figures and bank officials, and signals intensified scrutiny on misuse of authority and money laundering practices.