ACC seeks travel ban for suspected health sector syndicate boss Mithu

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has seized all the assets of Motajjerul Islam Mithu, a controversial contractor who allegedly amassed huge wealth illegally in the health sector, an official said on Thursday.

The commission’s Secretary Mahbub Hossain told reporters at the ACC headquarters on Thursday that the watchdog body also sent a letter to the Special Branch (SB) of the Bangladesh Police for his travel ban.

"Recently we have come to know that Motazzerul Islam Mithu is staying in Bangladesh. As there are allegations against him related to the acquisition of huge illegal wealth and smuggling abroad. For this reason, his foreign travel has been barred by the court and the movable and immovable properties acquired by him have been attached and frozen by the order of the court,” he said.

The secretary also said that this action was taken for the purpose of investigating the complaint against Mithu regarding the illegal acquisition of wealth and money laundering, which is under investigation in the commission.

Responding to a question about whether Mithu would be arrested, he said that the investigating officer would take necessary action in accordance with the law.

In response to another question, he said, "We do not know whether any of his assets have been seized in the United States."

Mahbub also said that how much wealth has been seized that will come out after the investigation.

According to the ACC sources, Mashiur Rahman, the leader of the investigation team, sent a letter to the Special Branch (SB) seeking a travel ban.

The ACC also appealed to the Metropolitan Judges Court to seize immovable and immovable properties worth Tk 74 crore and freeze them as per Sections 10 and 14 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2012 and Section 18 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Rules 2007.

Mithu had dominance in all types of tenders and purchases in the health sector. He has huge wealth in some countries including in the United States. An ACC investigation into a money laundering case against him is ongoing. On August 6, 2020, in the investigation of mask-PPE purchase corruption, Mithu was summoned, but he did not appear due to illness.

The charges against him are his syndicate allegedly supplied substandard goods at very high prices, did not supply goods as per tender conditions, withdrew bills without supplying goods in some cases and supplied unnecessary and unwanted goods in 12 hospitals across the country.