Embezzlement of detainees’ food funds: ACC files case against former police officer

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in Chattogram has filed two separate cases against a retired police officer and his wife over allegations of acquiring nearly 20 crore Bangladeshi Taka in illegal assets through corruption and abuse of power.

The accused are former Additional Deputy Commissioner (Prosecution) of Chattogram Metropolitan Police, Kamrul Hasan, and his wife, Sayma Hasan. The cases were lodged on Wednesday evening at the ACC’s Chattogram office by Assistant Director Sayed Alam. The development was confirmed by ACC Chattogram Deputy Director Subel Ahmed, who stated that the couple is under investigation for suspected accumulation of wealth beyond known lawful sources, with further assets also under scrutiny.

The case stems from a wider corruption narrative that first drew public attention following a 2023 investigative report titled “Asami’s food money in police pockets,” published on 15 October. The report prompted the then Police Commissioner to form an inquiry committee. Its findings reportedly confirmed that government funds allocated for providing meals to detainees at the Chattogram court lock-up had been misappropriated. Subsequently, the provision of state-funded meals for detainees was reinstated at the facility.

Following these revelations, the ACC launched a formal inquiry into Kamrul Hasan’s assets. Preliminary findings revealed assets worth approximately 11.34 crore Taka in the names of the officer and his wife. On 9 July 2024, the ACC moved the court seeking a freeze on their movable and immovable properties, which was approved.

According to ACC sources, Kamrul Hasan joined the police force in 1989 as a Sub-Inspector and later served as Officer-in-Charge in several police stations, including Hathazari and Banshkhali. He was later promoted to Additional Deputy Commissioner (Prosecution) in Chattogram Metropolitan Police. Allegations suggest that during his tenure, he misappropriated government funds by claiming expenses for detainee meals without actual service delivery.

Investigators have identified multiple properties linked to him, including a residential house in Pahartali, a 2,570-square-foot apartment near the DIG office in Khulshi, and a plot in the Ananya residential area. He is also reported to have ownership stakes in two commercial markets in Savar, Dhaka. The apartment alone generates an estimated monthly rental income of around BDT 70,000. ACC officials allege that several of these assets were acquired without prior approval from the relevant authorities.

Further allegations include concealment of property ownership while obtaining land allocation from the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) in the Ananya residential area. His wife, Sayma Hasan, is also reported to own four vessels, adding to the complexity of the financial investigation.

Summary of Alleged Assets

The ACC has stated that Kamrul Hasan’s declared and suspected assets amount to approximately 17.62 crore Taka, while his wife’s assets are estimated at around 3.14 crore Taka. The total alleged illicit wealth approaches 20 crore Taka.

Officials confirmed that investigations remain ongoing, and further properties or concealed assets may be uncovered as financial tracing continues.