ACC launches investigation into alleged corruption by NBR officer Matiur
Matiur Rahman, also a member of the board, was removed from his post and attached to the Internal Resources Division (IRD) of the Finance Ministry
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) today (23 June) formed a probe committee to investigate the allegations of corruption and acquisition of illegal wealth by Matiur Rahman, president of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Customs, Excise and VAT Appellate Tribunal, and it has begun its work.
A three-member team has been formed under the leadership of ACC Deputy Director Anwar Hossain, said ACC Secretary Khorsheda Yasmeen.
On 4 June, the Anti-Corruption Commission started an inquiry against Md Matiur Rahman over allegations of amassing illegal wealth and money laundering.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The allegations against him surfaced after a video of Matiur's son, Mushfiqur Rahman Ifat, who bought a goat at a price of Tk 15 lakh, went viral before Eid-ul-Adha.
Matiur Rahman, also a member of the NBR board, was removed from his post earlier today.
He has been attached to the Internal Resources Division (IRD) of the Finance Ministry, according to a ministry notification issued today (23 June). It said the decision will be effective immediately.
He was also removed from the state-owned Sonali Bank PLC's director post, Ziaul Hasan Siddiqui, chairperson of Sonali Bank, told reporters after a board meeting today (23 June).
Matiur has been given no specific designation in his new role, effectively making him an Officer on Special Duty (OSD).
This marks the first time in history that an NBR tribunal president has been removed from their position.
Earlier today, Matiur was asked not to attend a meeting of the bank's board, sources from the Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance and Sonali Bank said.
A high official of the bank confirmed that Matiur Rahman did not attend the meeting today.
Sonali Bank officials, seeking anonymity, confirmed that Matiur Rahman had been asked not to attend the upcoming meeting, which began at 11:00am today.
Sources had indicated that the Financial Institutions Division verbally informed Sonali Bank that Matiur should not attend the board meeting.
Consequently, the bank advised Matiur to abstain from attending, and he has complied.
However, the Financial Institutions Division informed TBS that the final decision regarding Rahman's removal has not been made yet, as the finance minister is currently in Vienna. He will return on 27 June, and until then, Rahman will retain his position.
