Hefajat Men’s Wealth: ACC forms body for probe

The Anti-Corruption Commission has formed a three-member committee for an enquiry into the illegal wealth of Hefajat-e-Islam leaders.

Hefajat leaders came into the spotlight after carrying out violence across the country in March while protesting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bangladesh.

ACC Commissioner Mozammel Haque Khan said a list of at least 40 leaders was prepared. "If more names come up, we'll investigate that too," he said. "We'll only enquire into their illegal wealth -- how they got money and whether they committed any corruption with it," he said.

Later, intelligence agencies -- Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) and Detective Branch of Police -- initiated probes into the funding of the leaders of the now defunct committee of the Qawmi madrasa-based organisation.

"We've learnt that Hefajat leaders got money from various sources. That is why we've decided to enquire into their wealth," said Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah, chairman of the anti-graft body.

He said, "No particular person or number of Hefajat leaders are fixed. Whoever has amassed wealth illegally will be investigated."

Sources said Hefajat leaders use various means to cover up their illegal wealth.

Earlier, the Detective Branch (DB) of police identified at least 313 donors who used to finance Hefajat.

The leaders used to collect the funds from donors saying it was for madrasa purposes. The DB is investigating where and how the money was spent.

The law enforcement agency is also checking the background and sources of income of the donors, and their purpose of giving the funds to Hefajat.

The DB traced transactions of over Tk 6 crore in two bank accounts of Mamunul Haque, joint secretary general of the now-defunct Hefajat committee.

Mamunul, facing several cases for vandalism and rape, is now behind the bar.

"Funding took place in a complicated way. To dig out the root of the source, we've formed the committee of investigators instead of giving charge to an officer," said Abdullah.

Hefajat protested the visit of Modi upon the invitation of the Bangladesh government to celebrate the golden jubilee of the country's independence on March 26.

Thirteen people were killed in the violent protest.

On March 31, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) sought the bank account details of 24 leaders of different organisations, including Hefajat-e-Islam and 30 madrasas.

Those named in BFIU report includes Ameer of Hefajat's convening committee Junayed Babunagari, defunct committee's vice president Mahfuzul Haque, finance secretary Monir Hossain Kasemi, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Moulana Islami Nurpori.

The BFIU also asked the banks to submit the account details of Islami Andolan Bangladesh Ameer Syed Mohammad Rezaul Karim, Secretary General Syed Faizul Karim and Bangladesh Imam and Musolli Oikya Parishad Secretary General Mahmudul Hasan Siraji.

Account information of some 11 people, who are holding top administrative positions in 11 madrasas located in Narayanganj and Brahmanbaria, has to be sent to the BFIU.

In addition, the unit has also asked banks to send account details of 30 madrasas, including Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam, popularly known as Hathazari Madrasa located in Chattogram.

Some other madrasas, located in Hathazari, Patiya and Fatikchhari, have also been mentioned in the BFIU letter.