The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Despite receiving the inquiry report on his wealth statement about 45 days back, the Anti-Corruption Commission is yet to file any case against detained BNP senior joint secretary general Tarique Rahman as it is conducting further inquiry into his wealth details.

Tarique, the eldest son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, submited his wealth statement to the Commission on June 10. ACC deputy director Jahirul Huda submited the inquiry report to the Commission on July 25 recommending filing of a first information report against Tarique.

"The Commission is conducting further inquiry (into Tarique's wealth)," ACC secretary Mokhles ur Rahman told reporters this afternoon replying to a query about the detained young BNP leader, who used to be accused by many for rampant corruption during the last BNP government's rule.

Asked if there is any specific timeframe for filing FIR against an individual after receiving inquiry report, he said he would make it clear after having a clear idea about it

Replying to a question about detained former Prime Ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, Mokhles said the investigations are going on against them.

He said the draft recruitment and service rules of the Commission were sent to the Cabinet Division today for its approval. Asked how long it might take to get the rules approved, the ACC secretary hoped to have the two sets of rules approved soon. He, however, said three ministries-Law, Establishment and Finance -and the head of the government would be involved in the process. About granting bail to the dependants of the accused individuals, he said the issue of granting bail would be looked into by courts. "We' ll never interfere in the activities of courts."

He said a liaison office has been set up at the High Court for coordination between the ACC and its lawyers.

Mokhles said the ACC filed a first information report on September 6 with Dhanmondi police station against former chief whip and Awami League leader Abul Hasnat Abdullah. The case has been filed in accordance with sections 26(2) and 27(1) of the ACC Act, 2004, section 5(2) of the Corruption Prevention Act, 1947 and section 15(D)/5 of the Emergency Power Rules, 2007.

He said the Commission also submited a charge sheet against former Power secretary ANH Akhter Hossain and his wife Naznin Banu for acquiring wealth beyond their known sources of income. The ACC secretary said the Commission has also approved the submission of a charge sheet against former State Minister for Communications Salahuddin Ahmed and former MP Kazi Salimul Haque. He said former BNP lawmaker from Kushthia Prof Shahidul Islam today submited his wealth statement to the Commission through his wife.