4-man body to probe Padma graft case

 

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday morning formed a 4-member committee to investigate into the case filed against seven people for conspiring to commit bribery over Padma bridge project.
The team was asked to submit its report as soon as possible.
ACC Deputy Director Abdullah Al Zahid will lead the team comprising of three deputy directors -- Mir Mohammad Zainul Abedin Shebly, Golam Shahriar Chowdhury and Mirza Zahidul Alam, sources in the ACC said.
ACC Director Moniruzzaman will monitor the work of the team.
The ACC on Monday sued seven people including former secretary of the Bridges Division Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan.
But the anti-graft body did not include in the case former communications minister Syed Abul Hossain and former state minister for foreign affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury.
Alleged involvement of the two in the graft would be examined during investigation of the case.
The six other accused in the case filed with Banani Police Station are: Superintendent Engineer of Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) Kazi Mohammad Ferdous; Executive Engineer of Roads and Highway Department Reaz Ahmed Zaber; Deputy Managing Director of Engineering and Planning Consultant, a local agent of Canadian firm SNC Lavalin, Mohammad Mostofa; and SNC Lavalin officials-- Mohammad Ismail, Ramesh Shah and Kevin Wales.
The WB cancelled its $1.2 billion funding on June 29 this year, saying it had proof of a "corruption conspiracy" involving Bangladeshi officials, executives of a Canadian firm and some individuals.
The global lender on September 21 decided to revive the loan after the Bangladesh government agreed to the WB's terms and conditions.