The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Detained former premier and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina told the investigators of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) that she was not involved in any corruption.

"Country has achieved development when my government was in power. Development and corruption cannot go together. I don't know anything else about the allegations of corruption against me. Even, I did not receive the FIR or complaint of the corruption case against me," Sheikh Hasina was quoted as having quipped during the questioning at the makeshift jail on the parliament premises.

Refraining from answering the questions of ACC investigators into the graft charge involving three barge-mounted power plants deals, Hasina said she didn't get prior notice from the ACC about the quizzing.

However, in an implicit denial of the allegation she suggested the ACC investigators to ask the country's senior economists about what she claimed a wave of development during her 1996-2001 reign.

Emerging from the jail gate at about 2:00pm, Hasina's counsel Toufique Newaz told reporters that she (Hasina) was in the dark as to what kind of allegations brought against her as she did not get any notice from the ACC.

"Until not informed about the allegations brought against her, Hasina cannot give any answer in the questioning," he said about the former premier's refusal to give reply to the queries of the investigators from the ACC, the army-led anti-corruption taskforce and CID police.

When the four-member investigating team informed her about the Tk 3 crore graft case filed by the ACC against her and six others with

Tejgaon police station on September 2, Hasina categorically said nothing is to be answered depending on memory.

"I need at least two weeks to review the documents of the First Information Report (FIR) and also to consult my lawyers about the

case after the ACC sends notice," Hasina was quoted as saying.

The inquiry team, led by investigation officer of the case Morshed Alam, went to the special jail at about 12:00 noon to quiz Hasina.

About a writ petition filed with the High Court Sunday challenging the legality of the extortion case being placed under the emergency rules, Toufique Newaz said the hearing of the case is on and Hasina is waiting to get "positive news like order of stay and bail".

Responding to a query, the counsel said the investigating team could not confirm them whether or not they would sent any notice before such questioning.

Earlier in the day, two more lawyers of Hasina--Barrister Ahmed Fazle Nor Tapash and Advocate Moniruzzaman--also went to meet her.

"I will subsequently be proved innocent through the legal process. I did not commit any crime," Sheikh Hasina was quoted as saying by Tapash.

"Sheikh Hasina's was found very firm in her determination. She is well. She directed us to carry on the legal process," he said.

The lawyers said there are as many as 14 cases pending against Sheikh Hasina. "But, she is not being allowed to talk with her lawyers about the cases. As a result, she is not receiving proper guidance regarding the cases," Tapash said.

On Tuesday, the Anti-Corruption Commission secured permission of the court to question the detained former Prime Minister over the charge.

It has been stated in the FIR that the former premier received Tk 3 crore from two companies--the Summit Group and the United Group--during the period between October 24, 1996 and November 24, 1997 for awarding the contracts to set up three barge-mounted power plants in Haripur, Shikalbaha and Khulna when her government was in power.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina's husband nuclear scientist Dr Wazed Mia is likely to meet his wife at the sub-jail at any time today (Tuesday).

DIG (Prison) Maj Shamsul Haider Siddiqui said Dr Wazed Mia might meet his wife at any time today.

The prison authorities decided to allow Dr Wazed Mia to meet his wife after receiving permission from higher authorities of the government. Dr Wazed Mia is now staying at Sudha Sadan at Dhanmondi after receiving treatment at a local hospital.