Muktakathan Desk : The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has approved filing a case against former Barguna-2 MP Shawkat Hachanur Rahman Rimon on charges of acquiring wealth beyond known income and embezzling government funds. Earlier, the High Court set a 30-day deadline to settle the allegations of embezzlement of funds allocated for the TR-Kabikha project.

On January 9, 2024, a bench of High Court Justice Md. Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat issued a rule on the allegations of embezzlement of funds in the TR-Kabikha project. At the same time, it was asked why the inaction in taking necessary action against Shawkat Hachanur Rahman Rimon and Barguna relief and rehabilitation officers would not be illegal.

Allegations of embezzlement of funds from the Rural Infrastructure Maintenance (TR) program in Patharghata and Betagi upazilas of Barguna have been discussed for a long time. In the 2020-21 fiscal year, 2 crore 2 lakh 91 thousand 805 taka was allocated to Barguna-2 constituency. This included 323 projects.

Patharghata and Betagi: Most of the projects were funded while the work was incomplete.

Bamna: There are relatively few complaints of irregularities. In some cases, the entire allocation has been withdrawn without taking action.

On October 27, 2022, Sultan Ahmed, a resident of Patharghata, filed a complaint with the ACC chairman. In the complaint, he claimed: Member of Parliament Shawkat Hachanur Rahman Rimon embezzled government funds and committed money laundering.

Local development activities have been hampered by irregularities and corruption.

However, due to the delay in resolving the complaint, Sultan Ahmed sent a legal notice to the ACC on November 7, 2022 and then filed a writ in the High Court in 2024.

Shawkat Hachanur Rahman Rimon denied responsibility in this regard. He said that the responsibility for implementing the project lies with the Project Implementation Officer. He has no involvement in it.

Shawkat Hachanur Rahman Rimon is also facing charges of extortion, tender rigging, land grabbing, drug dealing and controlling juvenile gangs.

Acquisition of a large amount of movable and immovable assets beyond known income.

According to Section 27(1) of the ACC Act, 2004, acquiring wealth beyond known income is a punishable offense. The ACC has filed a case against Rimon under this act.

At the same time, the High Court has ordered the TR-Kabikha to quickly resolve the allegations of money laundering and take effective action.

Local residents have been demanding strict action against Shawkat Hachanur Rahman Rimon, alleging that his activities have hindered the development of the area for a long time.

The ACC said that legal action will be taken after a proper investigation into the complaint.