ACC Raids BCB Over Alleged Corruption and Irregularities
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) conducted an enforcement operation at the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) headquarters in Mirpur, following specific allegations of financial misconduct and irregularities.
The three-member ACC team, led by Assistant Director Al Amin, carried out the operation based on a letter from ACC headquarters outlining the concerns.
After inspecting various departments for over an hour, Al Amin briefed the media, confirming that the ACC is investigating three separate allegations: corruption in team selection for domestic leagues, discrepancies in ticket revenue from the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), and fund embezzlement during the Mujib Centenary celebrations.
The ongoing Third Division Qualifying League is at the center of the selection-related probe. After a fee hike in 2014-15 from Tk75,000 to Tk5 lakh (approx. $910 to $4,550), participation dropped significantly.
This year, with the fee reduced to Tk1 lakh (approx. $910) and conditions relaxed, 60 teams entered. Al Amin noted that previous low participation might have been influenced by internal pressure or restrictions, which the ACC is now investigating.
Regarding BPL ticket sales, Al Amin highlighted that Tk13.25 crore (approx. $1.2 million) was earned in the latest season, almost equal to the Tk15 crore (approx. $1.37 million) collected over the previous ten editions combined. This sudden surge has prompted a closer review of ticketing records.
The Mujib Centenary celebrations in 2020–21 are also under scrutiny. Assistant Director Mahmudul Hasan stated that although Tk25 crore (approx. $2.3 million) was reported as expenses, actual spending was closer to Tk7 crore (approx. $637,000), with Tk2 crore (approx. $182,000) from ticket sales allegedly unaccounted for.
BCB Chief Executive Nizam Uddin Chowdhury assured full cooperation with the investigation. "All relevant departments have been instructed to provide the necessary documents to the ACC. We are committed to maximum cooperation. As the investigation is ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage," he said.
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