ACC probing Islamic Foundation DG Afzal for funds scam

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has begun investigating allegations of financial corruption against the Islamic Foundation Director General, Shamim Mohammad Afzal.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 3 Sept 2015, 06:57 PM
Updated : 3 Sept 2015, 06:57 PM

Afzal has been accused of misappropriating funds allocated for a mosque-based mass education programme.

The investigators say they have already found evidence of the misdeed but are reluctant to give details in the interest of the probe.

ACC Deputy Director Zulfikar Ali told bdnews24.com on Thursday that they began the investigation following a complaint from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

On being asked about the charge against Afzal, Ali said he was unable to elaborate as the investigation was on.

“We are scrutinising the information we already have. More documents would be sought, if needed,” he added.

An ACC official, however, on the condition of anonymity, told bdnews24.com that Afzal had allegedly recruited field officers for the project far in excess of the required number, misappropriated funds earmarked for the training of teachers, and embezzled money by preparing fake vouchers.

A dozen field officers, 23 field supervisors and three trainers have been working on the programme from 2011 without appointment letters.

With the basic pay and allowances, a field officer’s salary works out to Tk 25,000, and that of a field supervisor and trainer, Tk 20,000.

The ACC is believed to have laid its hands on evidences pointing to the misappropriation of teachers’ training allowances and project funds by preparing a trumped up list of training centres.

The ACC official said the evidence gathered so far was of a preliminary nature.

“We have written to the religious affairs ministry secretary for detailed information. We hope to get an answer from the ministry soon,” the official said.

Shamim Mohammad Afzal refused to comment when contacted for his side of the story. “Contact my PR,” he said.

Reached for comment, Islamic Foundation spokesperson Billal Bin Kasem said, “I know nothing of this matter. I do not know of any letter being sent by the ACC.”

The mass education programme in the mosques has been running from 1992 to give children general education alongside religious lessons.

It covers the Imam-Muajjins of 43,000 mosques in Bangladesh and 1.2 million children.