ACC finds ‘proof’ Tk 2bn cheque issued to coordinator to secure health advisor role

He didn’t have the money, the plan was to raise it after taking the post, says an official

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) says it has found “initial evidence” to support allegations that Sheikh Golam Mostafa, former director of the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH), issued cheques worth Tk 2 billion in an attempt to secure appointment as health advisor to the interim government.

An ACC special team carried out an operation at its headquarters on Thursday following media reports on the alleged scheme.

Deputy Director Md Akhtarul Islam told reporters the raid was prompted by suspicions that the former director had abused his position to acquire illegal wealth and sought to obtain a key government post through bribery.

In a statement after the operation, the ACC said documents had been collected from several offices, which on preliminary review indicated the allegations carried weight.

The watchdog will gather further information, verify details, and then decide on its next steps.

An official involved in the inquiry added: “His bank account did not contain that amount of money, but he had a plan to raise it after assuming the advisor’s post. This came up during initial questioning.”

According to reports that triggered the ACC operation, Dr Mostafa allegedly handed Tk 1 million in cash and four cheques amounting to Tk 2 billion in January this year to a group claiming to be “coordinators” from State Guest House Jamuna, the official residence of the chief advisor.

The deal was allegedly arranged by Ariful Islam, who presented himself as the brother of one Arefin, said to be a coordinator of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement. Ariful is said to have collected the cheques directly from Dr Mostafa’s chamber, while Arefin remained in contact over the phone.

In his defence, Dr Mostafa told the media that he had been misled and coerced.

He claimed those involved lured him with false promises of appointment and forced him to sign the cheques under duress.

“The cheques were meant as security. When they took them, I believe they even had weapons on them,” he claimed.