ACC prosecutes Rana Plaza owner again for not submitting wealth statement

The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has prosecuted Rana Plaza owner Sohel Rana for not submitting his wealth statement on time.

The commission launched an investigation into Ran’a wealth after the building at Savar collapsed, killing over 1,000 garment factory workers two years ago.

The ACC has sent a letter asking Rana, who is in the Kashimpur Prison now, to submit his wealth statement.

ACC Deputy Director Mahbubul Alam filed a case against him with the Ramna Police Station on Wednesday for the submission of the statement.

The commission’s Public Relations Officer Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya said Rana failed to file the statement even though he had been given sufficient time.

An ACC official, requesting anonymity, said the letter was sent on Apr 2 through the Kashimpur Prison authorities.

Rana was asked to submit the statement within seven working days, he said.

He sought more time to file the wealth details but the commission rejected the appeal and filed the case, he added.

The nine-storey Rana Plaza near Savar bus stand collapsed on Apr 24, 2013.

The construction of the building was allegedly faulty. Moreover, there are allegations that Rana constructed more floors, by deviating from the plan.

On the following day of the tragedy, the ACC decided to investigate his wealth.

The commission on May 15 that year took initiative to send a letter to Rana, asking him to submit his wealth statement but it was unable to send it due to legal complications.

According to the ACC investigation, Rana used 23 bank accounts to exchange money.

He also owns a five-storey residential building at Savar, a two-storey building and two brick kilns  at Singair in Manikganj.

On July 16, 2014, the ACC prosecuted Rana in the case filed over irregularities in the construction of the building.