ACC seizes Tk 24.5mn from home of ex-DGFI chief Saiful Alam

Tipped off about his illegal wealth, the anti-graft agency raided his Cantonment home and recovered the money on Feb 27

Authorities have reportedly seized more than Tk 24.5 million from the residence of Saiful Alam, the former head of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, or DGFI, Bangladesh's military intelligence.

The money was recovered during a raid at the Dhaka Cantonment home of Saiful, a lieutenant general who was sent into forced retirement from the army, on Feb 28, according to the Anti-Corruption Commission, or ACC.

"The ACC is currently investigating Saiful Alam, the former DGFI chief. Acting on a tip-off, the ACC conducted a raid at his house on Thursday night. The money seized in the raid has been presented in court," said ACC Director General (Prevention) Md Akhtar Hossain during a media briefing on Sunday.

After the fall of the Awami League government on Aug 5 last year, a complaint about Saiful's unaccounted wealth was submitted to the graftbusters. The ACC's Intelligence Branch has since gathered concrete evidence concerning his illicit assets.

Before his transfer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the wake of the government changeover, Saiful had served as the commandant of the National Defence College. He also held several high-ranking posts, including the army's quartermaster general, director general of the DGFI, and general officer commanding, or GOC, of the 11th Infantry Division.

Earlier, the Bangladesh Bank's Financial Intelligence Unit froze Saiful's bank accounts, along with accounts held by his wife and children and those associated with their businesses.