ACC prosecutes ETV ex-chairman Salam for fund misappropriation

The Anti Corruption Commission has prosecuted Abdus Salam, the former chairman of Ekushey Television, on charges of misappropriation of around Tk 340 million from the private TV channel’s account.

A Commission official told bdnews24.com that its Deputy Director Shamsul Alam had filed a case with Tejgaon police in Dhaka on Wednesday.

 

The case statement says Salam misappropriated the funds through false bills and vouchers under different heads, including business promotion and entertainment, during his tenure as ETV chairman.

 

The ACC launched a probe in November last year into the alleged fund embezzlement and later approved the move to prosecute him.

 

An ACC official, wishing anonymity, told bdnews24.com that there were also money laundering allegations against Salam.

 

“He siphoned off funds to purchase ETV stakes from its foreign shareholder Citicorp (International Finance Corporation). The matter is, however, at the investigation stage,” he said.

 

Salam has been in prison since Jan 6 last year in a case filed with the Cantonment police in Dhaka under the Pornography Control Act.

 

He is also facing a sedition case, in which BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman is the prime accused.

 

The S Alam Group acquired ETV through a bid held on Oct 8 last year.