ePaper Bangla

Dr Yunus, 12 others summoned by ACC

Dr Yunus, 12 others summoned by ACC
National

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has summoned Grameen Telecom Chairman and Nobel Laureate Dr Mohammad Yunus along with 12 others on 5 October for their alleged involvement in the misappropriation of more than Tk25 crore from the company's Workers Profit Participation Fund (WPPF).

According to ACC sources, the investigating officer of this case, ACC Deputy Director Gulshan Anwar Pradhan, sent this notice on 27 September.

The notice said, "You are requested to appear at the head office of the Anti-Corruption Commission on 5 October at 12:30pm to give a statement on the above matter and assist in the investigation."

Earlier on 30 May, the ACC filed a case against Dr Muhammad Yunus and 12 others for their alleged involvement in misappropriating the money.

According to the ACC, the case was filed after a preliminary investigation against the accused found "the allegations of embezzlement and money laundering was true." The case has been registered under the Money Laundering Prevention Act.

On 23 July 2022, the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) sent a formal letter to ACC to investigate the allegations of embezzlement of workers' money against Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus. 

According to the complaint, most of Grameen Telecom's transactions since 1996 have been suspicious. The organisation also requested an investigation into the money laundering complaints of workers given to the ILO.

The letter also said around Tk2,977 crore suspicious transactions have been made in the subsidiaries of Grameen Telecom so far, and the whole matter needs detailed investigation. 

It further says the workers were supposed to be given certain shares, which Dr Yunus deprived them of. 

According to the complaint, Grameen Telecom was supposed to give Tk45.52 crore to the Workers Welfare Foundation but did not give the money. The interest of the country has been disturbed here as well.

In a letter sent to the ACC, the DIFE also said that 110 cases were filed by the workers against Grameen Telecom and its Founder Dr Yunus, alleging they were deprived of their fair dues. 

Recently, Dr Yunus returned to the limelight after paying Tk476 crore dues of 176 workers. The workers filed an application to withdraw the case.