NBR orders tax evasion cases against 32, includin Salman F Rahman, Aziz Khan

Tax authorities in Dhaka, Chattogram and Gazipur asked to act on CIC investigation findings

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has directed tax officials to file criminal cases against 32 individuals, including prominent politicians, business leaders and journalists, over alleged income tax evasion.

The list includes Salman F Rahman, former private industry and investment adviser to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina; Summit Group Chairman Muhammad Aziz Khan; former Dhaka WASA managing director Taksim A Khan; and former state minister for information and communication technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak.

The directive follows investigations by the NBR's Central Intelligence Cell (CIC), which reportedly found evidence of tax evasion in the cases concerned.

In letters issued to the relevant tax offices, the NBR instructed 14 tax zones in Dhaka, Chattogram and Gazipur, along with the Large Taxpayers Unit (LTU) in Dhaka, to initiate criminal proceedings without delay, according to sources at the concerned tax offices.

The letters stated that audit and investigation reports prepared by the CIC had identified evidence of income tax evasion by the taxpayers concerned. The cases were recommended with the NBR's approval, the sources said.

Politicians, journalists among those named

The list includes several former ministers and lawmakers associated with the now-banned Awami League, including former local government, rural development and cooperatives state minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, former ICT state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak and former cultural affairs minister Asaduzzaman Noor.

Journalists Farzana Rupa and Shakil Ahmed have also been named, alongside Muhammad Harun Or Rashid, Jahangir Alam, Syeda Arzuman Banu and Arifa Jesmin. The identities or professional affiliations of some individuals could not be independently verified.

Nine individuals on the list have been classified as politically exposed persons (PEPs), a category covering people who hold or have held prominent public positions. Such individuals are subject to enhanced scrutiny because of the potential risks of corruption, bribery, money laundering and other financial offences.

However, classification as a PEP does not, in itself, indicate wrongdoing.

Seven face action under tax law

The NBR has specifically directed tax authorities to file cases against seven individuals under Sections 312 and 313 of the Income Tax Act over alleged tax evasion.

They are Nazrul Islam Mazumder, Md Nurul Absar, Md Ziaur Rahman, Md Nurul Alam, Nasiruddin Md Selim, Mostak Mia and Bidarul Islam.

A former NBR member said Section 312 provides for financial penalties and imprisonment of up to five years for tax evasion, with a minimum prison term of six months. Section 313 provides for rigorous imprisonment of up to five years in cases involving tax evasion through false declarations.

The precise charges and potential penalties will depend on the facts and evidence in each case and the applicable legal provisions.

Aziz Khan's family members also on list

The proposed legal action also extends to members of Summit Group Chairman Muhammad Aziz Khan's family. The list names Anjuman Aziz Khan, Ayesha Aziz Khandaker, Aziza Aziz Khan and Adiba Aziz Khan, alongside the businessman's name.

Others named include Mohammad Latif Khan, Mohammad Farid Khan, Zafar Uddin Khan, Md Faisal Karim Khan, Salman Fazlur Rahman, A S F Rahman, Major (retd) Saiful Alam, former Dhaka WASA managing director Taksim Ahmed Khan, Md Shahriar Alam and Shamim Ara Jahan.

The recommended list reportedly contains the names of individuals and entities, along with their taxpayer identification numbers (TINs).

Tax offices told to expedite proceedings

According to the sources, the relevant tax files have been referred for criminal proceedings based on the CIC's investigation findings. The taxpayers concerned fall under different tax circles across several jurisdictions, including Dhaka, Chattogram and Gazipur.

The respective tax offices have been asked to take the necessary steps to initiate the cases, with further action expected after the required legal procedures are completed.

The directive signals a move by the NBR to pursue alleged tax evasion through criminal proceedings. However, a recommendation to file a case or the inclusion of a name on an investigation list does not establish guilt. Any allegations will have to be tested through the legal process.