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Published : 24 Jul 2025, 02:59 PM
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into the allegation that former chief justice and former Law Commission chairman ABM Khairul Haque illicitly acquired a plot of land.
As part of the inquiry, the anti-graft watchdog on Thursday sent letters to the secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, the RAJUK chairman, and the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Taxes, requesting relevant documents.
Although ACC Deputy Director Akhtarul Islam confirmed to bdnews24.com that an inquiry had begun, he could not provide further details.
A senior ACC official said, “It has been alleged that former chief justice ABM Khairul Haque obtained a plot in an unlawful manner with the help of some corrupt officials from the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) and the Ministry of Housing and Public Works. The ACC has requested related documents to investigate this allegation.”
A seven-strong probe team has been formed to probe the allegation, led by ACC Deputy Director Monirul Islam. Other members of the panel are assistant directors Afnan Jannat Keya, Mubasshira Atia Toma, SM Rashedul Hasan, AKM Murtuza Ali Sagar, Mohammad Monirul Islam, and Deputy Assistant Director Abdullah Al Mamun.
In its letter to the housing and public works ministry, the ACC asked for a Xerox copy of the letter issued under reference number RAJ-5/2005/485 dated 21-09-2010, along with all relevant documents (including notations) related to the allotment of the plot to Khairul.
In the letter sent to RAJUK, the ACC requested Xerox copies of documents (including notations) concerning the allotment of Plot No. 004, Road No. 102, Sector-01, under Code No. 8511, in the Purbachal New Town Project.
In addition, the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Taxes has been asked to provide Xerox copies of the tax return documents and all attached records submitted from the beginning to the present.
The ACC letter read, “It is essential to review the records for a fair investigation of the allegation. Officials concerned are requested to take necessary measures to urgently provide the Xerox copies of these documents.”
The letter also mentioned that the investigation has a limited timeframe.
Khairul was arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Thursday. DB Joint Commissioner Nasirul Islam said he was taken into custody from his Dhanmondi residence in the morning and brought to the DB offices on Minto Road.
At least two cases have been filed against the 19th chief justice of Bangladesh.
On Aug 27, Supreme Court lawyer Mujahidul Islam Shaheen filed a case against him at Shahbagh Police Station over allegations of corruption and forgery of verdicts.
Earlier, on Aug 25, another case was filed against Khairul at Fatulla Police Station in Narayanganj. The case was filed by General Secretary of Fatulla Thana BNP and former president of the Narayanganj District Bar Association Abdul Bari Bhuiyan in connection with the verdict declaring the caretaker government system unconstitutional 13 years ago.
In that case, Khairul was accused of changing the verdict to annul the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and forgery.
Khairul served as chief justice from Oct 1, 2010, to May 17, 2011.
On May 10, 2011, an appellate bench led by him annulled the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, rendering the caretaker government system used for elections illegal.
After his retirement, Khairul was appointed as the chairman of the Law Commission for a three-year term on Jul 23, 2013. He was reappointed to the post several times.
