HC asks ACC to launch probe against MP Golap

The High Court on Monday directed the Anti-Corruption Commission to conduct an inquiry against Awami League MP Abdus Sobhan Miah Golap over his nine homes in New York and the illegal wealth he amassed by abusing power.

The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat Lizu passed the order following a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Suman seeking necessary directives in this regard.

The bench also asked the ACC to submit the probe report on the allegations against the Madaripur-3 lawmaker before the court through the Supreme Court registrar general in four months.

Barrister Suman on Sunday submitted the writ petition as a public interest litigation before the HC seeking its directive on authorities concerned to probe allegations against MP Golap.

He brought allegations of purchasing multiple homes in New York by Golap and amassing huge illegal wealth at home and abroad by abusing his power, position and through any other means, and concealing information about his wealth in his election affidavit in 2018.

After the HC order, ACC Commissioner (Investigation) Md Jahurul Haque told journalists at the ACC headquarters that they will carry out probe as per the High Court order over the allegations.

According to a report by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a global network of investigative journalists, MP Golap concealed information about being an American citizen and owning nine properties in New York City in his election affidavit in 2018.

Golap bought the properties between 2014 and 2019. Of the nine properties, which cost Golap about $4 million, eight were bought with upfront cash payments. His last purchase — a semi-detached house in Jackson Heights which costs $1.18 million – was made through a small mortgage and cash in 2019, after he became an MP, said the report.

The investigation also found no viable source of income in the US that would have enabled him to buy the properties. He made ends meet through a series of low-paying jobs like driving an unlicensed taxi in New York City, working as a cashier in a branch of the pharmacy chain Walgreens and making pizzas.

The report also said this raises the question of whether the real estate purchases were made with money sent from Bangladesh, which would involve Golap breaking rules.