The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The Anti-Corruption Commission is likely to question detained former Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina this week in connection with the Tk 3-crore graft case filed against her and six others on September 2. ACC deputy director Shabbir Hasan filed the case with Tejgaon police station accusing Hasina of taking Tk 3 crore in bribe from two power sector companies-the Summit Group and the United Group. It was mentioned in the first information report (FIR) that the former premier, Sheikh Hasina, received the money from the two power companies from October 24, 1996 to November 24, 1997. According to the allegation, they paid the money for buying land for Bangabandhu Memorial Trust in exchange for permission to set up a barge-mounted power plant in Khulna.

"Investigating officer and ACC deputy director Morshed Alam has already sought permission from the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court for questioning the detained former Prime Minister. If the permission is granted, Hasnia is likely to be questioned at the makeshift jail sometime this week," a source told UNB. "The exact timing of questioning will be fixed in consultation with the prison authorities after we get permission from the court," the source added.

Another former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was questioned by the ACC on October 11 in connection with the GATCO graft case filed on the same day.