ACC probe into graft charges against 2 accounts officers

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Bogra office has started investigation into the allegations against the two accounts officers of Dupchanchia upazila who were suspended on charge of misappropriating over Tk 13 crore through preparing fake pension bills.
ACC officials have also asked for wealth information of an employee of the upazila accounts office following allegation of his dubious role in the matter.
According to a recent report submitted by the departmental probe committee, accounts officers Khalilur Rahman embezzled Tk 12.23 crore and Shahidulla Mia embezzled Tk 1.15 crore from July 2005 to June 2009 through preparing fake pension bills, ACC officials said.
"Following the departmental probe report, ACC officials started probe into the charges against them a few days ago to find out the alleged irregularities and misappropriation of government money in Dupchanchia upazila accounts office," said Abul Bayes Miah, Rajshahi divisional director of ACC in Bogra.
“The accused officials prepared at least 1500 fake bills against unknown people to embezzle huge money. They also destroyed many documents,” he said.
The two former accounts officers and a few other employees of the office were accused in a departmental case for misappropriation of Tk 15 crore, says a preliminary report sent by ACC divisional office to the higher authorities a few days ago.
“During a department investigation I found serious irregularities and misappropriation of huge government money,” said Md Atiar Rahman, head of the one-member departmental probe committee, also former chief accounts officer of the Rajshahi office of Audit and Accounts Department.
Back in 2009, Md Khalilur Rahman and Md Shahidulla Mia were suspended for their alleged involvement in misappropriation of huge government money, said the official, now posted in Chittagong.
The accused officials paid huge money against fake pension bills with the connivance of a number of Sonali Bank employees, ACC divisional office sources said.
During an investigation, ACC officials found that Md Khaliur Rahman possessed immovable property worth Tk 5.30 crore, they said.