Corruption Allegation Against GK Shamim: ACC summons Sheikh Maruf for statement

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has issued a notice to former presidium member of Awami Jubo League central committee Sheikh Fazlur Rahman Maruf, to record his statement over corruption allegations against GK Shamim.

The notice -- signed by ACC’s Director Syed Iqbal Hossain -- asked Maruf to appear before the anti-graft watchdog on January 7, confirmed an ACC official seeking anonymity. Maruf is the younger brother of Awami League Presidium Member and lawmaker Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim.

Over a month after his arrest, the ACC on October 21 filed a case against contractor SM Golam Kibria Shamim and his mother for amassing Tk 297.08 crore wealth beyond known sources of income.

During the arrest of Shamim at his residence on September 20, Rab recovered Tk 1.81 crore and US $9,000 in cash, and Fixed Deposit Receipts of Tk 165 crore.

Besides, ACC found that Shamim has moveable and immovable property worth about Tk 133.26 crore, which he amassed beyond known sources of income.

Shamim is known to be an influential contractor of the Public Works Department and other government organisations. His firm GKB & Company (Pvt) Ltd was handling 15 major construction projects of the government, involving around Tk 3,000 crore.

The projects include construction of Rab  Headquarters in Ashkona; Revenue Building in Agargaon; Artha  Building; two 25-storey buildings at the Secretariat; National  Institute of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Rehabilitation; the Neuro  Science Building, and the NGO Foundation in Agargaon.

In yesterday’s notice to Maruf, ACC said there are allegations against Shamim of bagging big construction projects through huge amount of bribe given to government officials, operating casino business, and laundering crores of money abroad illegally.

For the sake of proper enquiry, it is necessary to record Maruf’s statement, said the notice, adding that if he fails to appear on the said date, the anti-graft watchdog will assume he has nothing to say over the allegations.

ACC has interrogated Shamim for several days. During the investigation, he revealed names of several persons with whom he engaged in illegal transactions, ACC sources said.