Matiur’s wife: Ready to accept any punishment if found guilty

Ex-NBR official Matiur Rahman’s wife and Raipura Upazila Parishad Chairman Laila Kaniz Lucky has responded to corruption allegations against her, saying she is ready to accept any punishment if she is found guilty of corruption.

“If I am involved in corruption, there is a law. I respect it and will accept all judgments passed through it," she said during an event on Friday afternoon.

She said: "I was a student at Dhaka University and a leader during some major movements. I served in a government job and have committed no wrongdoing. Politics is one of my passions. Previously, I served on the sub-committee of Mohila Awami League.

“I intended to run in the Narsingdi Zila Parishad election but did not, as I did not receive the party symbol (boat). Despite various comments from others at the time, I was not tempted. Later, I was appointed as the relief and social welfare secretary of the District Awami League."

Highlighting that she did not beg for her position, she added: "I did not come to the position in the District Awami League by begging for anything or anyone. I will be a candidate again in the upcoming Upazila Parishad Election. If you stand by me, no conspiracy can stop us."

She declared: "I want to serve people, don’t want to be an oppressor. If you give me another chance, I promise to serve you for my whole life."

She formerly held the position of associate professor of Bengali at Titumir Government College. In 2023, after the death of upazila parishad chairman Abdus Sadek, she voluntarily resigned from her academic role to compete in the by-election.

Recently, her husband, ex-National Board of Revenue (NBR) official Matiur Rahman, was the talk of the town on social media this Eid-ul-Azha after rumours surfaced that his second wife’s son had purchased a goat for an astonishing Tk15 lakh.

Following this, along with her husband, substantial reports regarding Lucky's wealth were published in the media. Later, the court ordered a travel ban for her and her family, including asset seizure and freezing of bank accounts.