MP Zafar's wealth increased 10 times, he was acquitted in 2 cases

             MP Zafar's wealth increased 10 times, he was acquitted in 2 cases

Zafar Alam, the current Member of Parliament of Cox's Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua) constituency, has increased his wealth by 10.37 times in the last five years.

At the time of contesting the 2018 elections, his annual income, movable and immovable assets were Tk 1 crore 59 lakh 80 thousand 993. Where he had wealth of 97 lakh 40 thousand 493 rupees in his own name and wealth of 62 thousand 40 rupees 500 rupees in the name of his wife. There was no income from the joint ownership or its dependents. At that time there were two cases pending in court against MP Zafar Alam.

But as MP Zafar Alam's fortunes have changed over the next five years, so have two cases in his name settled.

In 2023, his annual income, movable and immovable assets stood at 16 crore 57 lakh 34 thousand 305 taka. Where he has assets worth 10 crore 78 lakh 63 thousand 89 rupees in his own name. 2 crore 21 lakh 71 thousand 254 taka in the name of his wife, 3 crore 23 lakh 90 thousand 357 taka in joint ownership and 33 lakh 9 thousand 603 taka in dependents of his income. And he was acquitted from two pending cases.

This information has been found in the affidavit submitted by MP Zafar Alam to the Commission for the 2018 11th National Parliament Elections and the upcoming 12th National Parliament Elections. And the information of these two affidavits says that MP Zafar Alam's wealth has increased 10.37 times in five years.

In his affidavit for the upcoming 12th National Assembly elections, MP Zafar Alam mentioned that he is a businessman and fish farmer. He earned an annual income of 49 lakh 23 thousand 501 taka from the agricultural sector, the annual income of those dependent on his income from the same sector is 7 lakh 22 thousand 7 hundred taka. The annual income from house, shop and apartment rent is 8 lakh 19 thousand 560 taka, the annual income of those dependent on his income from this sector is 6 lakh 72 thousand taka. His annual income from business is 24 lakh 79 thousand 680 taka, the annual income of dependents on his income is 2 lakh 7 thousand 882 taka. In the case of shares, savings certificates, bank deposits, the annual profit is 183 taka, the annual profit of those dependent on his income is 1 lakh 10 thousand 551 taka. In the professional field, the annual income is 23 lakh 23 thousand 552 taka, the annual income of those dependent on his income is 4 lakh 54 thousand 470 taka.

MP Zafar Alam currently has Tk 40 lakh cash in movable assets, wife has Tk 20 lakh in cash, dependents have Tk 5 lakh in cash. 1 lakh 19 thousand 248 taka is deposited in the bank, wife's deposit is 28 lakh 75 thousand 501 taka. MP Zafar has a share worth 1000 taka. Although there is no FDR in his name, there is an FDR of Tk 18 lakh in the name of his wife. There are two cars worth 1 crore 23 lakh 10 thousand taka. Self has 10 bhoris of gold, wife has 30 bhoris and dependents have 30 bhoris. Electronic goods own 2 lakh taka, in the name of wife 1 lakh 65 thousand taka, dependents have 1 lakh 80 thousand taka. Furniture worth Tk 1 lakh in own name, Tk 1 lakh 95 thousand in name of wife, dependents have Tk 1 lakh 80 thousand.

Zafar Alam wrote in the statement of immovable assets that he has 150.34 acres worth Tk 63 lakh 15 thousand 625 and 619 acres of agricultural land worth Tk 50 lakh 3 thousand 320 in the name of his wife. At the same time, there is jointly owned agricultural land of Tk 3 crore 23 lakh 90 thousand 357. At the same time, he has 243.91 acres worth 5 crore 29 lakh 86 thousand 162 taka in his own name and 53.27 acres of non-agricultural land worth 1 crore 18 lakh 342 thousand 433 taka in the name of his wife. MP Zafar Alam has his own house and building worth Tk 15 lakh, fish farm worth Tk 10 lakh 10 thousand, complex under construction worth Tk 1 crore 86 lakh 74 thousand 600.

Against which MP Afar Alam took a loan of Tk 70 lakh from Bank and purchased goods with a loan of Tk 1 lakh 16 thousand 965.

Zafar Alam is participating in the election as an independent candidate after being deprived of nomination. MP Zafar Alam's wealth has increased 10.37 times in the last five years. Various complaints have already been raised about it.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Deputy Director of Cox's Bazar District Integrated Office Monirul Islam summoned Zafar Alam, his wife Shaheda Begum, son Tanveer Ahmad Siddiqui Tuhin and daughter Tania Afrin on August 24 last year on allegations of acquiring illegal wealth. On September 4, the four accused, including Zafar Alam, appeared at the ACC office and presented the details of their assets.

After that ACC Cox's Bazar Assistant Director Riaz Uddin started investigation based on the complaint. The investigation found the authenticity of more than two hundred land deeds against MP Zafar Alam and his wife and children. However, the majority of these documents are owned by MP Zafar on the basis of 'power of attorney', ACC said.

But as the investigation has not ended, no comment can be made on this yet, said the investigation officer assistant director Md. Riyaz Uddin.

MP Zafar Alam commented, "I am a land business, I have bought a lot of land and sold it again." So I have not mentioned all the land that I have sold in the affidavit. However, the amount of my wealth is consistent with the income tax return.'

Regarding the increase in assets and cash, Zafar Alam said in the affidavit, "Naturally, my income has also increased due to the increase in land and land prices."