The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a lawsuit against former Customs Commissioner Wahida Rahman Chowdhury for allegedly abusing her power to illegally waive Tk152.89 crore in interest owed by four mobile operators.
The operators involved are Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink, and Airtel.
ACC Assistant Director Shah Alam Sheikh filed the case at the ACC's Integrated District Office, Dhaka-1, on Tuesday (June 11), as confirmed by ACC Secretary Khorhsheda Yasmin.
Wahida Rahman Chowdhury, who retired as a commissioner of the Large Taxpayer Unit at the National Board of Revenue (NBR), is currently on Post-Retirement Leave (PRL). According to the case statement, the mobile companies were required to pay VAT on rented places and properties and had agreed to settle Tk189.74 crore through alternative dispute resolution. However, due to their failure to pay within the stipulated period, an interest of Tk152.89 crore accumulated as per VAT law. Commissioner Wahida Rahman Chowdhury initially instructed the rapid calculation of this interest.
Of the amount, Grameenphone owes Tk 58.64 crore, Banglalink Tk 57.88 crore, Robi Tk 14.94 crore, and Airtel Tk 20.53 crore.
Wahida Rahman Chowdhury allegedly abused her authority to waive this interest 3 to 5 months later through separate orders.