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Published : 05 May 2025, 03:07 AM
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an inquiry against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's last principal secretary Tofazzel Hossain Miah over the allegations of amassing huge “illicit” wealth through "corruption and abuse of power".
The anti-graft watchdog’s spokesman Akhtarul Islam confirmed the matter but could not provide further details.
A senior official of the national graft buster, however, told bdnews24.com seeking anonymity: “The decision to launch the inquiry was taken following the initial evidence of the allegations against Togazzel in the ACC's intelligence unit report.”
According to the report, Tofazzel and his family own flats and plots in Banani, Gulshan, Mirpur, Diabari, Purbachal and BCS Admin Housing Society in Dhaka, alongside houses and land in Pirojpur's Bhandaria village, and flats in Canada and Australia.
The official said a four-strong panel, led by the agency’s Deputy Director Fazlul Haque, has been formed for the inquiry. The other members of the team are assistant directors Nasrullah Hossain, Mubashira Atia Toma and Deputy Assistant Director Afia Khatun.
Tofazzal was appointed as the principal secretary on Dec 7, 2022, after serving as senior secretary at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
He had his tenure extended for a second time for another year on Jul 4, 2023. The contract was extended for another year on Jun 26 last year.
However, on Aug 7 of the same year, the interim government issued a notification revoking his appointment.
He had served as the former prime minister's private secretary-1, director general and secretary of the PMO.
The official said the anti-graft body’s intelligence report contains information on a four-storey building’s construction at his ancestral home in Pirojpur's Bhandaria. He owns a large amount of land in the area.
In addition, he owns a house in Dhaka’s Mirpur-2 and another named “Prottasha Bhaban” held in the name of his wife's father.
Tofazzel owns a plot and flat in Diabari, which is allegedly received from the Roads and Highways Department. He also has plots in the Purbachal New Town Project and BCS Admin Housing Society.
According to the report, he was known to be influential in the area and his recommendations determined the nominations of municipal mayors, Upazila chairmen and members of parliament.
Bhandaria Upazila Council Chairman Merazul Islam has allegedly gifted him a flat in Dubai. Tofazzel's brother Jakir Hossain Miah is settled in Canada. Locals allege that Jakir has bought a house there in his name.
He also owns a flat in Australia where his children live. He has bought flats in the capital’s Banani and Gulshan in the name of his wife Afroza Khan and children.
The most talked about allegation against the former chief secretary is the "embezzlement" of a government fund by showing a "non-existent" orphanage tied to his father.
"The allotment was taken before 2024 but it was not registered at that time. The orphanage was registered in June of that year.
The report quoted local social welfare officials as saying that the orphanage was registered in just a few days, "ignoring the rules”.
According to locals, the orphanage shown is a madrasa and none of the students living there are "orphans”.
Tofazzel is one of the accused in the case filed over the killing of the students and members of the public in the mass uprising.
Despite bdnews24’s efforts, he could not be reached over the phone as he was in hiding.
