The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has started an investigation into claims of large-scale corruption and money laundering in the repair and maintenance of the Simultaneous Interpretation System (SIS) at the Jatiya Sangsad.
The SIS is a special audio system used for live translation during parliament sessions and international meetings.
According to the ACC allegation, Zahidur used political influence during the previous Awami League government to get SIS-related contracts at the parliament.
He is accused of having close ties with former Chief Whip Nur-e-Alam Chowdhury Liton and relatives of former Health Minister Zahid Malik. Using these connections, he allegedly got contracts for operating, repairing, and maintaining the SIS system and misused hundreds of crores of taka. Some money was also sent abroad illegally.
The ACC document also mentions irregularities in the health sector, where medical equipment was bought at higher prices to move money abroad.
After damage to the SIS at the parliament building on August 5, 2024, the PWD took steps to repair it. Communication Technology Ltd inspected the system and said it could be repaired. The company then asked for Tk1.12 million to cover costs like engineers' travel, food, and fees. The ACC says the SIS system (SURE brand) is unique and has no similar alternative, but the company still tried to get more funds in the name of repairs.
The ACC also said some PWD officials were involved in these irregularities even before August 2024. They allegedly worked together to keep repairing the old system to misuse public money.
After the 2024 mass uprising, a proposal of about Tk 97 million was made for repairing and maintaining the SIS.
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