Cox's Bazar MP Badi gets top taxpayer award

Ruling Awami League MP Abdur Rahman Badi, accused of controlling the notorious yaba trade in Cox's Bazar, has been awarded for paying the highest income tax.

Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain handed over the awards at a function in Chittagong on Monday, the National Income Tax Day.

The Cox's Bazar-4 parliamentarian is being prosecuted by the Anti Corruption Commission for possessing wealth beyond known sources of income.

"The ACC chairman has filed a case against me but the income tax department has honoured me for being the highest tax payer," he said after receiving the award from the minister.

Badi claimed he had always worked "honestly" and paid Tk 78.4 million in tax over the past five years -- Tk 15.2 million last year.

He said he would quit his MP post if the national anti-graft agency proved the allegation.

ACC Deputy Director Khairul Huda filed a case against him on Aug 21 after investigating an abnormal increase in the MP's wealth, based on the affidavits he submitted to the Election Commission before the 10th national polls.

He has been charged with concealing assets worth Tk 108.7 million and evading taxes.

Badi secured a four-week anticipatory bail from the High Court on Sept 11 in the case.

A government investigation revealed that the MP controlled illegal club-drug yaba's trade in the district.

A list, prepared by the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC), names Badi and 10 others including his brother, several in-laws, uncle and nephew for being involved with the illegal trade.

The MP has been denying the allegations outright.