Rana has 23 bank accounts

The Anti-Corruption Commission has found 23 bank accounts used by Mohammed Sohel Rana, the owner of multi-storeyed Rana Plaza that had collapsed in Savar last month.

Salahuddin Wahidbdnews24.com
Published : 14 May 2013, 11:05 AM
Updated : 14 May 2013, 11:05 AM

But the authorities were yet to ascertain how much money he had in all these accounts, said ACC’s Public Relations Officer Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya.

The national anti-graft agency began an investigation soon after the collapse of the building following allegations that Rana had amassed wealth through corrupt means.

The primary probe into the sources of his funds has been completed and a report is expected within three days.

Apart from the ill-fated multi-storeyed, Rana also owned three other buildings, the probe revealed. They are eight-storey Rana Tower, a five-storey residential building in Savar and another high-rise in Manikganj’s Singair.

He also owns two brick kilns-- Rana Bricks and MAK Bricks.

Locals claimed the so-called Jubo League leader used his political influences to amass wealth in past few years.

Rana used to identify himself as a senior joint convenor for the ruling party’s youth front. But Jubo League has dismissed the claim saying there are no such posts in the front.

Rana, a close associate of Awami League MP from the locality, Talukder Mohammed Towhid Jung Murad, has several charges of land grabbing and drug running against him.

An investigator for the ACC said a report was being prepared to instruct Rana and his father Abdul Khalek to immediately submit a list of their wealth.

Rana Plaza collapsed on Apr 24 killing more than 1,100 workers who used to work in the building’s five garment factories.

Rana who had fled as soon as the building collapsed was arrested by RAB at Benapole on Apr 28. His father Khalek has also been sent to prison pending investigation.