ACC to interrogate Hefazat leaders on graft

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sought information on more than 50 leaders of Hefazat-e-Islam, including its chief Junaid Babunagari and Mamunul Haque, from the authorities concerned about their involvement in embezzlement and corruption.

Besides, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) of the central bank has been asked for information on their bank accounts and transaction information. 

On Wednesday, ACC Secretary Dr Md Anwar Hossain Howlader said that the commission had received allegations that around 50 current and former leaders and activists of Hefazat had been involved in corruption and embezzlement of funds.     

The ACC probe body working on the matter will interrogate them after receiving the information. Most of the leaders of the Qawmi madrasa-based group under the scanner are now in jail.

The investigation was launched after the commission received allegations of a misappropriation of foreign aid for religious activities, money laundering and other allegations against its leaders.

The eight-member team, led by Akhtar Hossain Azad, has already contacted the sub-registry offices for details relating to the educational institutions controlled and maintained by the Hefazat leaders.

Meanwhile, the probe body members are collecting the outbound travel information on the Hefazat leaders with the help of the Special Branch of Police and the Department of Immigration.