The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has completed preliminary investigation into the allegations of corruption against 11 persons, including Mayor of Dhaka Sadek Hossain Khoka, and Awami League presidium members Tofail Ahmed and Sajeda Chowdhury.

The ACC published names of 35 corruption suspects in the fourth list on October 4 and started the preliminary enquiry into the allegations against the 11 persons.

Director General (Admin) of the ACC Col Hanif Iqbal said yesterday that concerned enquiry officers (EOs) have submitted their reports to the commission, which are now being scrutinised.

After completion of the scrutiny, the ACC would take next steps against the corruption suspects, he said while briefing reporters at the ACC headquarters in the city.

The ACC DG said the preliminary investigation into the allegations against the rest 24 persons of the fourth list would be conducted gradually on the basis of the capacity of the ACC. He said the commission cannot start enquiry into the all allegations at a time due to shortage of manpower and other capacities.

Col Hanif said the investigation officer (IO) has submitted the report on the GATCO case against former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia and 12 others.

But, he denied the press report that the IO has recommended for implicating eight former ministers and eight secretaries in the case.

"I cannot recall any such recommendation made by the IO. The matter is still under process. The report of the case is now under scrutiny," he said while his attention was drawn about the report.

"You may get information from many sources that may be right or wrong. But so far I am concerned, all information must be official, objective and true," he added.

Col Hanif said the chairman of the ACC would launch his social motivational campaign against corruption in the southern parts of the country on November 19.

During the visit, the ACC DG said the chairman will visit Barisal, Shariatpur and Madaripur, and join views-exchanging meetings with cross sections of people.

The ACC chairman would also establish coordination between refurbished divisional offices and field-level offices in the region as per the new organogram.

Under the new restructuring programme, the ACC has reduced the number of its district offices from 54 to 22. As per the plan, six divisional offices, which would be reorganised under the new organogram, would coordinate with the district offices.

He said senior and efficient officials from the headquarters would be transferred to the divisional and district offices to expedite the activities of the ACC across the country.

Replying to a question, the ACC DG said the transfer would be made for administrative purposes and necessity of the commission, so that it can function actively even outside Dhaka.

Col Hanif said the ACC filed a case yesterday against Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury Rabiul, assistant personal secretary (APS) of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, on charge of acquiring huge wealth beyond his legal incomes.

Referring to the recent visit of Transparency International (TI) Chair Dr Huguette Labelle in Bangladesh, he said Dr Labelle discussed the programmes being implemented in Bangladesh with the cooperation of the Bangladesh chapter of the TI.

He said the TIB is providing support for the ACC to create public awareness, mass communication and capacity-building. Under the programmes, a two-week course has been taken for the officers involved in the enquiry and investigation into the cases, he said.