HC directs ACC to probe allegations against S Alam Group, submit report

The High Court (HC) has directed the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate the allegations raised against S Alam Group, of investing or transferring money abroad without approval.

The HC has set ACC a deadline of two months to submit a report of the probe.

A High Court bench comprised of justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and justice Khizir Hayat with a suo motu rule gave the orders today, Sunday.

English newspaper, ‘The Daily Star’ published a report with the title ‘S Alam’s Aladin’s Lamp’ on 4 August.

Lawyer Syed Sayedul Haque Suman brought the report to draw the High Court bench’s attention today. The High Court gave the order considering that report.

In its ruling, the court wanted to know why the respondents' inactivity or failure to prevent money laundering in regard to the media report would not be considered outside of legal jurisdiction.

The High Court in the rule has sought to know why an order would not be issued to investigate the allegations published in the report and why proper action would not be ordered against the persons and companies involved in this incident.

Besides, the High Court has also ordered to submit a report whether there had been a money laundering through transferring it abroad and whether the money was transferred abroad with the Bangladesh Bank’s approval or not.

The Bangladesh Bank and Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit have been asked to submit this report.

Citing the Daily Star report, lawyer Sayedul Haque participated in the hearing at the court.

Senior lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan and deputy attorney general Saifuddin Khaled took part in the hearing on behalf of the ACC and the state respectively.