Graft charges against ex-AL MP Mizanur accepted

A Dhaka court today accepted charges against former Awami League lawmaker Mizanur Rahman of Khulna-2 over amassing wealth worth Tk 1.58 crore illegally.

After accepting the charges, Judge KM Emrul Kayesh of the Special Judge's Court of Dhaka fixed October 28 for hearing on charge framing against the accused in the case.

The judge also transferred the case to the Special Judge's Court-3 of Dhaka for its trial.

On September 5, ACC Director Manzur Morshed, also the investigation officer of the case, submitted the charge sheet to the Senior Special Judge's Court.

According to the commission, Mizanur Rahman was accused of illegally obtaining construction work of Khulna City Corporation and other government institutions by misusing his political identity.

On March 8, 2018, the anti-graft watchdog launched an investigation led by ACC Director Manzur Morshed against Mizanur Rahman over allegations of his acquiring illegal wealth.

In 2019, Mizanur submitted his wealth statement, to the tune of Tk 2.55 crore, to the commission.

However, the commission found that only Tk 97 lakh of the amount came from legal sources. The commission did not find any legal sources of the remaining Tk 1.58 crore.

On April 16, 2018, the anti-graft body interrogated Mizanur Rahman at the commission's headquarters over the allegations but he denied all.

On August 8, 2019, ACC filed a case against him.

The commission alleged that he had amassed illicit wealth through various forms of corruption, including abuse of power while he was a member of parliament.