Some top ranking police officials, their wives and close relatives have allegedly been found to be involved in real estate business worth thousands of crores taka, a gross violation of the 'Code of Conduct for Government Officials and Employees'.
Investigation revealed that they are involved in such a business under a housing construction firm named ‘Premium Properties Limited’.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has taken the matter under its recognition and copies of the allegations have been forwarded to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on September 4 this year.
Financial crime experts believe that such kind of housing business could become a major means of laundering black money in addition to abusing the power of police officers.
The Directorate of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC) maintains all the documents related to the ownership of registered companies.
According to the RJSC information, the luxury housing company Premium Properties Limited was registered in 2010. As of July 14, this company was owned by 11 entrepreneurs and businessmen.
According to the RJSC list registration list, Kazi Md. Jahidul Karim is one of the owners of ‘Premium Properties’. He is a brother of Kazi Fazlul Karim, who is the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Admin at the Police Headquarters.
In addition, Kazi Fazlul Karim's wife Nuzhat Fatema is also involved with this luxurious real estate firm.
The Bangladesh Post tried to manage comments of DIG (Admin) Kazi Fazlul Karim (promoted to the post of Additional IGP) over mobile phone on Sunday night (October 12). But he neither received the call nor made any return call.
The Bangladesh Post also contacted to IGP Baharul Alam for his comments.
Asked whether the 'Code of Conduct for Government Officials and Employees' allows such type of business by the wife or brother of a top ranking police official or a government official, the IGP said, he would look into the matter.
According to the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1979, a government official or his wife cannot be involved in business unless permission is given by the government or the competent authority. Sub-section-3 of Section-17 of this rule states, ‘‘A government employee shall not allow any member of his family to engage in any business in the area under his own jurisdiction without the prior approval from the government.’’
Section-12 of this act further states that, ‘‘No government employee shall construct any building for residential or commercial purposes without the prior approval of the government by submitting a written application stating the source of funds for the construction cost.’’
Therefore, any government employee must not engage in any business without the prior approval of the government. At the same time, this rule is also applicable in the case of his wife. Therefore, any involvement of a government employee and his wife/husband in business is regulated by the rules and permission is required.
