Ex-SAD president Rifat Rashid denies Tk1 crore fund embezzlement claim

Former Students Against Discrimination (SAD) president Rifat Rashid has rejected allegations of embezzling at least Tk1 crore, raised against three of the organisation’s top leaders over funds collected for a ‘Yes’ vote campaign in a February referendum.

 “We have clarified everything at a press conference. We have also published the audit report. Even then, if anyone has any allegations, we will fully cooperate with any investigation,” Rifat Rashid told The Business Standard.

“I do not want to talk about this anymore. This is nothing but a politically motivated propaganda,” he added.

A section of leaders within the organisation has raised questions over the source, process and expenditure of the funds, creating internal controversy.

Earlier on 23 April, the organisation’s central spokesperson, Sinthiya Zaheen Ayesha, accused senior leaders of financial irregularities and lack of transparency at a press conference held at Madhur Canteen of Dhaka University.

“At least Tk1 crore was collected through a foundation to campaign for the ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum for the 13th national parliamentary election. But despite being the spokesperson, neither I nor other responsible members of the committee were given any information about this fund. Instead, information was concealed and extreme opacity was maintained,” she said.

Senior joint general secretaries and representatives of the private university wing were also present at the briefing.

Ayesha directly accused the organisation’s President Rifat Rashid, who has recently joined the National Citizen Party, Chief Coordinator Hasib Al Islam, and Organising Secretary Moinul Islam of creating organisational barriers and engaging in irregularities.

She further alleged that Office Secretary Shahadat Hossain and Legal Cell Secretary Mahfuz were also involved in the misappropriation of funds.

According to her, inquiries about the fund were repeatedly avoided, and those who raised concerns were blamed and labelled as destabilising the organisation.

In a written statement, she said that during a meeting called by President Rifat Rashid on 12 April, participants’ mobile phones were confiscated before any financial accounts were presented.

“Everyone’s phones were taken away so that no one could preserve any information or take photos of the accounts. This is a clear indication of planned financial irregularities and embezzlement,” she said.

The issue has also drawn renewed attention in political and administrative circles amid the allegations and explanations from the leadership.

At the press conference, it was also said that in a meeting of the organisation’s central committee, the collection of at least Tk 1 crore was acknowledged, but transparency in expenditure was not ensured.