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An application has been submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), requesting an investigation into six serious allegations against national cricketer and former Awami League MP Shakib Al Hasan.
Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Milhanur Rahman Naomi filed the application on Wednesday.
The allegations levelled against the ace all-rounder include stock market manipulation, illegal gambling business, gold smuggling, embezzlement of money from crab traders, corruption in cricket, and concealing assets in his election affidavit.
The application made to the ACC chairman highlights how Shakib has allegedly earned money unlawfully through these means.
Shakib, who is currently in Pakistan with the national cricket team, was elected the lawmaker from Magura-1 in the 12th parliamentary election in January this year. But he lost his seat earlier this month when the president dissolved the parliament following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government in a mass uprising led by students on August 5.
Shakib was also accused in a murder case filed with Adabar police last week over the murder of a readymade garment worker during the mass protests, sparking widespread discussion both domestically and internationally.
Stock market manipulation
It has been alleged that Shakib earned approximately Tk 104 crore by trading shares in six companies in the stock market. This includes Tk 16.60 crore earned through deliberate manipulation to increase the share price of Fortune Shoes by 94.67 per cent from May 20, 2021, to June 17, 2021.
Additionally, he earned Tk 1.66 crore through another BO account linked to the same company.
Also, Shakib allegedly earned Tk 5.45 crore by manipulating the share price of Asia Insurance Limited by 123.45 per cent between September 9, 2020, and October 22, 2020.
Similarly, he reportedly earned Tk 18.40 crore by artificially inflating the share price of NRB Commercial Bank by 172.58 per cent from May 5, 2021, to May 24, 2021.
The application also alleges that Shakib earned Tk 12.02 crore by increasing the share price of IPDC Finance by 60.88 per cent between March 29, 2022, and April 24, 2022, and Tk 46.32 crore by manipulating the share price of One Bank from November 15, 2021, to November 30, 2021.
Furthermore, it has been claimed that he earned Tk 3.33 crore through his company Monarch Holdings Limited by increasing the share price of BDCOM Online by 45 per cent from March 7, 2022, to March 10, 2022.
The application claims that the former national cricket team captain embezzled around Tk 104 crore from the stock market by taking advantage of sensitive information before it was publicly disclosed and through serial trading.
Gambling business
Although gambling or online gambling is prohibited under Bangladesh's laws and regulations, Shakib announced himself as a brand ambassador for the online gambling company BetWinner and promoted cricket games, casinos and gambling businesses through its website.
It has also been reported in various media outlets that Shakib's sister Jannatul Hasan is a shareholder of the Indian gambling app "Mahadev".
The application claims that Shakib and his family's promotion of online gambling and the income generated from it are considered criminal activities under the anti-money laundering laws. Therefore, the matter should be investigated and legal action should be taken.
Gold smuggling
The application to the ACC alleges that Shakib, along with his business partner Rashek Rahman, started a gold business through Reliable Commodities Exchange Company and Burak Commodities Exchange Company without adhering to the legal requirements.
It has been alleged that Shakib engaged in illegal gold importation and sales, evading government duties and taxes, thereby committing an offence under Section 2(s) of the Customs Act of 1969.
The application requests an investigation into this matter and the implementation of legal measures.
Crab business
In 2016, Shakib established a crab farm called "Shakib Al Hasan Agro Farm" in the Datinakhali area of Satkhira. It has been alleged that he defrauded various crab traders by not paying them over Tk 1 crore for soft-shell crabs.
One businessman named Gurudas reportedly died of grief after not receiving Tk 30 lakh owed to him.
The application claims that Shakib used his name and fame to gain illegal profits by not paying the soft-shell crab traders, committing an offence punishable under anti-money laundering laws. The matter should be investigated and legal action should be taken against him.
Corruption in cricket
In 2019, Shakib was banned for two years by the International Cricket Council for failing to report an approach related to match-fixing.
He also admitted to violating the Anti-Corruption Code. Therefore, the application requests an investigation into this offence as well.
Election affidavit
Despite owning and managing multiple businesses, Shakib allegedly concealed many of these companies and their income in his election affidavit during the 12th national election.
It has been alleged that Shakib has investments in 11 different businesses that he did not disclose in his affidavit. Additionally, he allegedly purchased a house in the United States under his wife's name and is involved in various businesses in Saudi Arabia.
