Income of Amir Khosru doubles in seven years

As the February 12 election nears, affidavits submitted by candidates open a window into their assets, liabilities, and personal histories. The Daily Star is running stories based solely on these filings.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury's annual income has more than doubled since 2018, rising to Tk 1.6 crore despite a Tk 78 lakh loss in the share market last fiscal year.

According to his election affidavit, Khosru currently holds Tk 5.27 crore in shares and bonds, while his wife, Tahera Alam, owns Tk 98 lakh in similar investments. In 2018, he owned shares worth Tk 1.97 crore -- less than half the present amount.

During the 2018 election, his annual income was Tk 73.7 lakh, lower than the amount he lost in the share market last year. A major portion of his recent earnings came from Tk 80 lakh in signing money received from Concord Real Estate.

Listed as a businessman, Khosru is contesting from the Chattogram-11 (Bandar-Patenga) constituency. His wife, also a businessperson, has seen her income rise from Tk 9.1 lakh in 2018 to Tk 37.8 lakh. She too received Tk 7.02 lakh in signing money from Concord.

Khosru's personal expenses, excluding share market losses, amount to Tk 31 lakh annually. He has also invested Tk 32.6 lakh each in expanding his commercial property in Chattogram's Khatungonj and his residence in Kattali. In Khatungonj, he rents space to a bank and owns 12 shops.

His affidavit shows Tk 36.8 lakh earned in bonus shares from Alpha Securities and Tk 36.3 lakh from bonds and interest. He reported Tk 2 crore in liquid cash last year, while his wife held Tk 1.67 crore. In 2018, his liquid assets were Tk 1.72 crore, while his wife had Tk 3.3 crore.

Khosru declared his vehicle to be worth Tk 7.5 lakh, while his wife's is