Bangla: Former ministers, secretaries held

Dhaka, Feb 25: Bangladesh Army-led joint forces held more former ministers and politicians on charges of corruption as 72-hour deadline, to submit account of their wealth, expires today.

Former Works Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Mirza Abbas and former Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, former Secretary to the Power Ministry Akhtar Hossain and Dhaka City Corporation Commissioner Abdul Quayum were arrested, among others, when they came to submit their statements on wealth to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Office this morning.

The arrested persons are on the list of ''50 corrupt'' prepared by the interim caretaker government. The ACC that has been reconstituted with former Army Chief Hassan Mashhud Chowdhury as chairman, is now spearheading a combat against corruption to clean up the state before holding the stalled parliamentary elections, which were postponed for an indefinite period following the imposition of the state of emergency on January 11.

Earlier, the joint forces rounded up more than 30 former ministers, MPs and businessmen and sent them to jail to face trial.

Many politicians belonging to former Prime Ministers Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Sheikh Hasina's Awami League are still absconding.

The ACC, on February 18, published the first list of 50 "corrupt", mostly politicians from two major parties and sent them summons, directing them to submit the statements of their wealth within 72 hours after receiving the notice.

Those in jail have been served notices through the Inspector General of Police (Prison) while the ACC sent the notices to the remaining individuals.

According to the ACC directive, those not detained will have to submit the statements appearing in person and the detained will have to do so through legal representatives.

In failure to comply with the edict of the anti-graft watchdog, the moveable and immovable property of the listed persons would be confiscated, according to the summons signed by ACC secretary Delwar Hossain.

The ACC secretary had said the 72-hour deadline would end at 1700 hours (local time) today. He said the ACC will decide tomorrow about the fate of those absconding.

In cases of those who will not submit the statements within the stipulated period of time, the magistrates will take action. After the confiscation of property, there will be inquiries followed by first information reports, investigations and charge sheets.

UNI