ACC brings Khaleda's case under EPR

Dhaka, Sep 18: Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has brought the case filed against former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia under emergency power rules, making charges against her non-bailable.

The ACC also pressed charges against detained former BNP lawmaker Mossaddak Ali Falu, four Dhaka City Corporation ward commissioners and 11 others in a case filed in connection with embezzling government relief materials.

''The container handling case involving Khaleda, her younger son Koko and 11 others was brought under EPR in response to a petition by investigation officer (IO) of the case,'' ACC Secretary Mukhles Ur Rahman said told reporters yesterday.

The commission said it will file a fresh case against Khaleda's detained elder son Tarique Rahman ''very soon''.

The Daily Star reported quoting sources in the ACC that Tarique would be accused of concealing information in his wealth statement submitted to the ACC, and illegally accumulating properties disproportionate to his known sources of income.

In the case filed with Tejgaon Police Station, Khaleda Zia, her younger son Koko and 11 others were charged with corruption and misuse of power to help Global Agro Trade (Private) Company Ltd (GATCO), an indenting house, win the tender for container handling at Dhaka Inland Container Depot (ICD) and Chittagong Port ICD yard.

The ACC secretary said, ''In the interest of investigation and considering importance of the case, the IO made the petition.'' Mr Rahman said besides filing cases against high profile corruption suspect politicians and bureaucrats, the commission has permitted submitting charge sheets against 10 corruption suspects of different fields.

There are corruption allegations also against some ACC officials though they are now trying to adapt to the changed situation, the ACC secretary said adding that an internal anti-corruption committee headed by the ACC chairman will soon decide over those allegations.

''Five ACC officials have already resigned while allegation against another was received today,'' he said.

UNI