ACC finds initial proof of Tk 200cr cheque for health adviser post
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has said it has found initial evidence in the allegation that former director of the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH), Professor Dr. Sheikh Golam Mostafa, issued cheques worth Tk 200 crore to a coordinator in exchange for becoming a health adviser.
The ACC carried out an enforcement operation on Thursday morning (August 28) to verify the allegation.
Later at night, ACC Assistant Director Tanzir Ahmed said records related to the allegation had been collected from various offices, and after analysis, initial evidence was found.
He stated, “An enforcement operation was carried out against the former NICRH director over allegations of abuse of power, accumulation of illegal wealth, and bribery to unlawfully obtain an important state position. As part of the operation, records related to the allegations were collected from different offices, which upon analysis indicated preliminary evidence of wrongdoing. The process of collecting additional records is still underway.”
He further added that after gathering all necessary documents and completing due verification, a detailed report would be submitted to the Commission seeking a decision on the next course of action.
Earlier, several media outlets reported on the allegation under the headline: “Doctor accused of issuing Tk 200 crore cheque to former coordinator to become adviser.”
On August 27, a news report alleged that Professor Dr. Sheikh Golam Mostafa, former NICRH director, was involved in serious corruption. According to the report, in his bid to secure the position of health adviser, he gave Tk 10 lakh in cash and four cheques amounting to Tk 200 crore to a coordinator.
The report mentioned that the incident took place in January this year and has been discussed as a sensational case of corruption in the country’s health sector. It further stated that Dr. Mostafa, during his tenure as NICRH director, engaged in financial dealings with a coordinator group who claimed to be affiliated with Jamuna, the official residence of the Chief Adviser.
According to the allegation, Dr. Mostafa provided Tk 10 lakh in cash and four cheques worth Tk 200 crore. The transactions were allegedly mediated by a man named Ariful Islam, who introduced himself as the brother of coordinator Arefin.
In response, Dr. Mostafa said, “They wanted to force me to become an adviser, lured me with false promises, and compelled me to sign the cheques. On the day they came to my office, possibly two of them were carrying weapons.”