DHAKA, Sept 28, 2025 (BSS) - The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, his wife and former chairman of UCB PLC Rukmila Zaman and eight others on charges of bribery and money laundering involving Tk 41.75 crore.

The other accused are Former UCB PLC director Syed Kamruzzaman, proprietor of Imperial Trading and AGM of Aramit PLC Md. Abdul Aziz, owner of Classic Trading and AGM of Aramit PLC Mohammad Jahangir Alam, owner of Model Trading and Aramit PLC official Mohammad Misbahul Alam, owner of Crescent Traders Syed Nurul Islam and owner of Radius Trading Md. Farid Uddin.

Deputy Assistant Director of the ACC head office Md. Rubel Hossain filed the case as the plaintiff, Public Relations Officer of the ACC Md. Akhtarul Islam confirmed the matter at the Commission’s head office here today.

According to the case statement, the accused, in collusion with each other, extorted Tk 41.75 crore from Saif Powertech Limited, a client of UCBL’s Mohakhali branch, and Tarafdar Ruhul Amin, Managing Director of E-Engineering PLC.

The money was later laundered abroad through various fake organisations after being transferred through multiple channels, the statement said.

The ACC investigation revealed that in August 2020, a loan application was submitted on behalf of Saif Powertech Ltd. and E-Engineering Ltd. at UCBL’s Mohakhali branch.

The bank’s board approved a loan of Tk 174.80 crore in September of the same year.

Out of the sanctioned amount, Tk 41.75 crore was paid as bribes through five fake entities.

The ACC said during his tenure as minister, Saifuzzaman Chowdhury exerted undue influence over the operations of UCBL Bank by holding positions of ownership and directorship and appointing his wife as the chairman of the board.

He reportedly used his position to pressure bank officials and extorted bribes from businessmen.