The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated an investigation against former Narayanganj City Mayor Dr Selina Hayat Ivy and her personal assistant Abul Hossain over allegations of acquiring illegal wealth, money laundering, abuse of power, and other irregularities. The ACC confirmed the decision on Thursday from its headquarters.
Selina Hayat Ivy first came into public office in 2003 as the Chairman of Narayanganj Municipality during the tenure of the Four-Party Alliance government.
She made history in 2011 by defeating Shamim Osman by over 100,000 votes in the first-ever Narayanganj City Corporation election, becoming the country's first female mayor. She was re-elected the mayor of Narayanganj City in 2016 and 2022.
Allegations against Abul Hossain, Ivy's personal assistant, include abusing power, extortion from CNG and auto-rickshaw drivers, and amassing millions of taka. He allegedly owns 4 to 5 apartments in Narayanganj metropolitan area. Furthermore, two additional flats are reported to be in the name of Ivy's driver in the Bor Kol and Pani Kol areas of Narayanganj.
The allegations also extend to Ivy's brothers, Ali Reza Ripon and Ahmed Ali Reza Uzzal, who are accused of embezzling more than 1 crore taka annually from the solid waste collection and disposal management project in the Siddhirganj region of Narayanganj City Corporation.
Additionally, the ACC has obtained information about Ivy's involvement in the demolition of the historic Chitta Binodan Club in Narayanganj to build a market, as well as the illegal occupation of 18 acres of Bangladesh Railway land to construct Sheikh Russel Park. The ACC has also found evidence of assets disproportionate to her known sources of income.
