The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched a probe into the allegations of mass corruption committed by officials behind the Dhaka airport third terminal project.

ACC Director General (Prevention) Md Akhtar Hossain confirmed the development while briefing reporters outside the ACC headquarters in the capital today.

He said allegations of abuse of power, widespread corruption, and fraudulent activities have been levelled against the project director, AKM Maksudul Islam.

Based on a newspaper report, the corruption watchdog has initiated a probe into how the potentially Tk7,000 crore project cost was inflated to Tk22,000 crore through power abuses, massive irregularities and corruption.

The allegations include inflating the project cost from an estimated Tk7,000 crore to Tk22,000 crore through fraud and irregularities; purchasing equipment locally but claiming them as imports to misappropriate funds; embezzling Tk900 crore through mismanagement in soil testing and designs alteration, and selling three major contracts to other contractors for commission, said Akhtar.

Additionally, he said that mentioning European-standard equipment in the tender but installing low-quality equipment from China and Korea; widespread irregularities in ceiling work; unnecessary spending of Tk12 crore on irrelevant tasks reportedly to appease ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and forming a syndicate to siphon off the money from the project are among the accusations against the project director.

The under-construction terminal was inaugurated by the ousted prime minister on October 23, 2023, with plans for it to become operational by October 2024.

Akhtar Hossain assured that the ACC is committed to uncovering the truth behind these allegations and ensuring accountability for any wrongdoing.