Ex-Jamaat MP's SUV seized

The Anti-Corruption Commission seizes a luxurious vehicle of former Jamaat-e-Islami MP Shahjahan Chowdhury from a service centre in Dhaka yesterday. The SUV was imported under the duty-free privilege for the lawmakers.Photo: STAR

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) seized a luxurious sport utility vehicle (SUV) worth around Tk 2 crore of former Jamaat lawmaker Shahjahan Chowdhury of Chittagong in the early hours yesterday.
The ACC's Chittagong office seized the SUV, Range Rover V8, manufactured by UK-based Land Rover, from a service centre of Pacific Motors Ltd in Dhaka.
Sources said Shahjahan, the former lawmaker from Chittagong-14 constituency, imported the 4398cc vehicle at Tk 50 lakh under the duty-free facility offered to the lawmakers.
The price would be around Tk 2 crore if 300 percent import duty is imposed as per the rule, sources added.
Shahjahan did not include the SUV in his wealth statement submitted to the ACC, Chittagong on February 20.
In his statement, the former lawmaker claimed that he did not own the vehicle, as he could not pay Tk 50 lakh.
However, an ACC investigation found that Shahjahan took possession of the SUV after making full payment through opening an L/C with Arab Bangladesh Bank's Mohakhali branch in August 2006 and had been using it for the last one year.
The investigation conducted by the ACC's Chittagong office also found that Shahjahan has all the required documents relating to the vehicle in his name.
A case was filed against Shahjahan on charge of submitting false statement on July 1.