The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The Anti-Corruption Commi-ssion is yet to decide as to when the charge-sheet in the GATCO case against former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and others would be submitted and how many individuals would be charge-sheeted.

The Commission yesterday held a meeting with 11 lawyers and the investigation officer to discuss the issue of submitting the charge sheet in the high-profile case.

"The submission of charge-sheet in the GATCO case was discussed (in the meeting). The question of law is involved in submitting the charge-sheet," ACC Commissioner Habibur Rahman told reporters. He said the Commission also discussed as to how many individuals would be included in the charge sheet.

But, Habibur said the date for submitting the charge sheet has not been fixed yet.

About the inclusion of former ministers and secretaries in the charge sheet, he said former ministers and secretaries might be or might not be included. "No final decision has yet been taken in this regard." About opinions given by the attending lawyers, the Commissioner said the lawyers came up with different views and the Commission would take a decision considering their opinions.

Sharfuddin Ahmed Khan Mukul, one of the lawyers who attended the meeting, said there was no discussion on any specific accused rather it discussed the whole case. "We've given our opinions and the Commission will take its decision. If necessary, we'll sit again," he said.

On September 2, ACC deputy director Golam Shahriar Chowdhury filed the case with Tejgaon police station against Khaleda, her son Koko and 11 others for alleged irregularities and corruption in awarding a deal to GATCO, a little known company.

Investigation officer and ACC deputy director Jahirul Huda submitted the investigation report early this month reportedly recommending submission of a charge-sheet against 31 individuals, 18 more than the ones initially accused in the first information report (FIR). Eight former ministers and a few secretaries are reportedly among the additional 18 recommended to be included in the charge sheet. The ex-ministers of the immediate-past alliance government are former Finance Minister Saifur Rahman, former LGRD Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, and Jamaat chief and Industries Minister Motiur Rahman Nizami, former Health Minister Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, former Agriculture Minister MK Anwar, former Information Minister M Shamsul Islam, former Commerce Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and former State Minister for Energy AKM Mosharaf Hossain. The former secretaries recommended to be charge-sheeted include former Cabinet Secretary and incumbent Public Service Commission chairman Dr Sa'dat Hossain.