For the upcoming 11 parliamentary election, Shahin Akhter, wife of Awami League (AL) MP, Abdur Rahman Badi, became AL’s nominated candidate for Cox’s Bazar-4. In her wealth statement, she showed an increase in her yearly income but claimed that price of her jewellery for use has not risen. She also said that her jewellery has not increased in the last 11 years.
In a wealth statement submitted to the Election Commission on Nov 24 last, Shahin Akhter said that the price of 15 bhori of gold is only Tk 45,000, which means that each bhori (11.664 grams) costs Tk 3000.
In 2008, Shahin Akhter submitted nomination papers for Cox’s Bazar-4 and showed the same valuation for her ornaments.
However, the assets of Shahin Akhter have increased. Meanwhile, president of Cox’s Bazar district jeweller association, Shubhash Dhar, said, in 2008, each bhori of gold was Tk 23,000 which stands at Tk 47,000 now.
Cox’s Bazar, district election official, Mohammad Bashir Ahmed, said, “It’s not our headache to probe into the discrepancies of wealth statements; that is the task of the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) and NBR.”
Efforts to reach Shahin Akhter for comments were fruitless.