The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said the government wants to present a right to information law to the nation in near future.

Free flow of information acts as a driving-force in democracy and good-governance, he said and added the easier the availability of information in a state, the higher is stage of development.

Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed said this while inaugurating a convention on "Right to information for a democratic and corruption free Bangladesh" organized by Manusher Jonno Foundation, a non- government organization at Hotel Sheraton.

Law and Information Adviser Barrister Mainul Hosein and Former Adviser to the caretaker government Advocate Sultana Kamal also spoke on the occasion.

MJF Chairperson Syed Manzur Elahi chaired the session while MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam gave the welcome address. Research Initiatives of Bangladesh Chairman Dr. Shamsul Bari presented the keynote paper.

Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed hoped that the ministries of Information and the Law and Justice would take the next steps soon for making this law effective. He said the law commission had previously prepared a working paper on right to information. A draft on right to information law prepared on the basis of this paper after collecting opinion from the civil society was sent to the ministries concerned, he added.

The Chief Adviser said his government is working relentlessly to establish good governance in the country. Free flow of information plays an important role for erecting transparent and accountable administrative structure.

The theme of right to information has been touched in Article 39 of the constitution. But the need for a specific law for ensuring right to information has been felt for a long time, he added.

The Chief Adviser said the right to information law would play a supportive role in providing information relevant for life and livelihood as well ensuring deliverable services and facilities.

Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed said a right to information law has already been made effective in neighbouring India. Nepal has also passed a law on right to information recently, he pointed out and said Bangladesh is also in need of such a law.

He said free flow of information has been ensured through legislation in Sweden, where intensity of corruption is also minimal.

Besides ensuring public welfare, optimum utilization of information reduces corruption in society, polity, economy and state machinery, he added.

He said underdevelopment is directly related to corruption. Generally, the level of development of a country is the lower, if the incidence of corruption is higher, he said.

The Chief Adviser said people could be certain about the time- frame and quality of services, if the service providing organizations both in public and private sectors provide them information.

Law and Information Adviser said the government is ready to give due importance to right to information for establishing good governance in the country.

He said the civil society and the journalists would have to play a vital role for ensuring approval of the right to information law.

The journalists will have to achieve the skill of disseminating information supplementary to public interest, he added.

Sultana Kamal said except classified information, others can be shared with people for enhancing development.

Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim was present.

Staff Reporter

Denmark, the co-chair of the Global Facility for Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction (GFDDR), appealed to the donor groups to support Bangladesh for an accelerated recovery from the risk of cyclone disaster.

The Denmark government pledged 10 million Danish Kroner, about US$2 million, to the GFDDR to help Bangladesh recover from cyclone SIDR.

Copenhagen will donate another one million dollars to Actionaid for projects aimed at strengthening the disaster preparedness locally.

Ulla Tornaes, Danish Minister for Development Cooperation, disclosed this at a press conference and called for a coordinated, long-term international recovery strategy for Bangladesh during a visit to the country.

The Danish Minister arrived in the capital on December 2 to visit cyclone SIDR affected areas.

She said, "I am pleased to see that the people of Bangladesh have already started reconstruction work. It is a great challenge that needs international support."

The press conference was held at Danish Embassy in the city jointly organised by the World Bank and Denmark Embassy.

Zhu Xian, the World Bank's Country Director, Einar Hebogaard Jensen, Danish Ambassador, among others, were present on the occasion.

Ulla Tornaes said, "We hope that this contribution will help the government leverage additional financing for long-term recovery efforts to further strengthening the country's resilience and disaster preparedness, rebuild people's lives, and bridge the gap between humanitarian relief and long-term reconstruction."

She said the damage done by the cyclone SIDR stresses the need for integrating Disaster Risk Reduction into development cooperation.

She warned of the impact on climate change in Bangladesh and said, "Bangladesh is very vulnerable to the climate change. Not only comes flooding from the sea, but also from the great rivers of the Himalayas."

Tornaes, who visited some worst hit areas in Patharghata in Barguna to see the consequences of the cyclone SIDR, urged the Government to invest in roads, schools, water and agriculture to an even higher degree by taking preparedness measures into account.The Danish Minister said, "Climate Change and Natural Risk Reduction are linked together and should be addressed in a common context."

She said Denmark in 2008 would update the Danish strategy for humanitarian assistance envisaging climate-proof strategy and enhanced assistance to disaster prepared in developing countries.

The Danish contribution to GFDRR complements other donor efforts, including the World Bank's recently announced $250 million support package to Bangladesh, World Bank Country Director Zhu Xian mentioned.

Zhu Xian said, "Increasingly the international community is focusing on prevention and long term risk reduction, not just reconstruction."

"GFDRR involvement after disasters helps ensure that the focus is not solely on the immediate needs of repairing individual homes and social infrastructure, but no longer term recovery and preparedness," he said.

Xian mentioned that Bangladesh has suffered from floods and a cyclone this year, as well as high international oil and food prices. "This creates an immediate need for support from the international community," he said.

The GFDRR has already provided $300,000 to Bangladesh for disaster preparedness and a comprehensive disaster risk management programme has been launched in the South Asia to increase disaster resilience. The programme will support the development of a regional strategy to mange risk, share knowledge and provide training and capacity building. Other countries participating in the GFDRR include Australia, Denmark, the European Commission, Italy, Japan, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Therefore, Canada, Finland, France and Germany are expected to join soon.

Staff Reporter

Adviser for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, and Information Barrister Mainul Hosein yesterday called for following the ideals of Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy and Sher-e-Bangla Fazlul Haque. Otherwise, democracy will not take roots and we will have to pay the same price time and again, he said.

Addressing a memorial meeting in observance of the 44th death anniversary of Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy as chief guest, the Law Adviser said the national identity was not achieved through one or two incidents, rather it is the outcome of the thoughts and aspirations of the statesmen like Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy and Sher-e-Bangla Fazlul Haque.

If we could cherish the thoughts and aspirations of the leaders like Suhrawardy and Sher-e-Bangla, people like them could come to the forefront and bring about a positive change in the society, he said.

Presided over by Dr Kamal Hossain, Chairman of the Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs (BILIA), the meeting was also addressed, by Justice Naimuddin Ahmed and BILIA Director Ambassador Waliur Rahman.

He regretted that we have forgotten the contributions of Suhrawardy and Sher-e-Bangla.

After the independence, we have hardly seen a leader, who upholds principles, values and ideals, he said.

The Law Adviser said though Suhrawardy had come from an aristocratic and educated family, he started politics for the working class. His politics was for the people who were repressed and oppressed.

Referring to the contribution of Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy in establishing the Bangali national identity, he said it is not enough only to say that we are a Bengali nation rather we have to carry forward the ideals and thoughts that Suhrawardy envisaged in building the nation.

The Bangali national identity does not mean that we will support autocracy, rather we believe in democracy and our leaders should be self-sacrificing, honest people, who will hold themselves above personal interest and any greed for wealth, he said.

He said Suhrawardy taught us that leadership would be for protecting the interest of the people not self-aggrandisement.

Barrister Mainul Hosein said the Liberation War did not occur overnight and we have to remember who had done the groundwork of the war of liberation.

"We do not recall the contributions of our forefathers," he regretted.

Dr Kamal Hossain said the country needed an effective Parliament involving people through a free and fair election where there would be accountability and transparency.

"We have to bring about meaningful changes and hold a meaningful election so that people can say that they have elected their representatives according to their choices.

He emphasised on seeking people's mandate if there was any move to bring amendments to the Constitution.

Recalling the close relationship between Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia and Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, he said both of them together planned many democratic movements of the then East Pakistan that subsequently led to achieving the country's independence in 1971.

Justice Naimuddin Ahmed said, "We could not uphold the democratic tradition that was left by Suhrawardy and Sher-e-Bangla."

He said the corruption-free society that was dreamt by the national leaders is yet to be materialised.

Justice Naimuddin called upon all to extend their all-out cooperation to the present caretaker government for establishing a corruption-free democracy in the country.

UNB, Dhaka

Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed made a courtesy call on President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban on Wednesday and discussed various matters of the force, including the ongoing relief activities for the cyclone-stricken people.

A release from the President house said the Army Chief apprised the President, also the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, of the ongoing distribution of relief materials and rehabilitation activities among the cyclone-hit people by the Bangladesh Army. General Moeen also informed the President about various issues relating to the Army.

"He sought continuous support and cooperation from the President and supreme commander of the Armed Forces in discharging his duties," said the release.

President Iajuddin gave General Moeen a patient hearing and assured him of all cooperation.

The President thanked Bangladesh Army for their wholehearted and sincere cooperation and active participation in helping and rescuing the cyclone-hit people in the coastal belt.

He also thanked the Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force, Civil Administration and all concerned who are engaged in rehabilitation and relief activities in the cyclone-affected areas of the country. Military Secretary to the President Major General M Aminul Karim and Press Secretary Abdul Awal Howlader were present on the occasion.

Staff Reporter

A sedition case was filed yesterday against two top leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangla-desh and a former secretary for their alleged audacious remarks against the country's independence and liberation war.

Freedom-fighter Mohammad Fazlur Rahman of village South Ramerkanda under Keraniganj Police Station of the Dhaka district filed the case against Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, assistant secretary general Abdul Kader Molla and former secretary Shah Abdul Hannan in the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) court in Dhaka yesterday for their anti-independence and anti-liberation remarks.

Appearing before the court of Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Emran Hossain Chowdhury at about 12:30pm, freedom fighter Fazlur Rahman filed the sedition case.

The editors of the Daily Prothom Alo and the Daily Bhorer Kagoj and the news editor of the Daily Prothom Alo were made witnesses in the case.

Taking the case into cognizance, Metropolitan Magistrate Emran Hossain Chowdhury ordered the officer-in-charge of Tejgaon Police Station to investigate the complain against the accused.

The case accuses the three for making remarks against the emergence of an independent Bangladesh in 1971, and creating and ordering the Razakar, Al Badr and

Al Shams forces to kill pro-liberation civilians including intellectuals.

The plaintiff said the accused persons committed crimes of treason by killing about 30 lakh people, raping about two lakh women and other ill activities.

He said that 36 years after liberation, the accused had not yet recognised Bangladesh's victory, flag, constitution or Independence Day.

The plaintiff Fazlur Rahman said, "I could not file a case in the past due to the various adverse political situations in the country."

In his case, Fazlur Rahman alleged that after attending the electoral reform talks at the Election Commission on October 25 last Jamaat secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed told the media that Jamaat did not work against the Liberation War in 1971 and

there were presently no war criminals in Bangladesh.

The remarks of Mojaheed left people across the country stunned.

"By his audacious remarks, Mojaheed undermined the country's liberation war and the freedom fighters," he said.

On the other hand, at a discussion on the life and work of late Baitul Mokarram Khatib Obaidul Huq at the National Press Club in the city Kader Molla made defamatory remarks against the country's War of Liberation and freedom fighters claiming that some people had joined the liberation war to fight against the Pakistani army in 1971 to have beautiful women, some others for property and some to protect Indian interests," while former Islami Bank chairman Shah Abdul Hannan, while speaking on a talk show, Ekushey Shomoy, on private satellite television channel Ekushey Television described the Liberation War of 1971 as a "civil war".

He denied that genocide took place in the country at that time and that war criminals exist here.

Hannan also expressed doubts that three million people died in the war and supported a Pakistani report according to which only 26,000 people or less died during the Liberation War.

Counsel of the plaintiff Advocate Abu Mohammad Abdur Razzaque said: "War crimes and murder cases can be filed any time."

It may be recalled that several sedition cases have already been filed against Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed and Kader Molla with different police stations of the country for their audacious remarks against the country's War of Independence, supreme sacrifices of 30 lakh men, women and children, and rapes committed by the Pakisatni army and their local collaborators, known as 'Razakars,' Al Badrs, and Al Shams.

AFP, Islamabad

Pakistan's government of Parvez Musharraf has formally retired 37 judges, including the former chief justice, who refused to approve President Pervez Musharraf's emergency rule, the attorney general said Wednesday.

The judges declined to take a fresh oath of allegiance after Musharraf imposed the state of emergency on November 3, citing as one major factor the judiciary's "interference" in government.

Pakistan's opposition parties, including those led by ex-premiers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif have called for the judges, led by outspoken chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, to be restored.

"Thirteen judges of the Supreme Court and 24 judges of the high courts of Lahore, Peshawar and Sindh stand retired with the issuance of notification by the Law Ministry," Attorney General Malik Muhammad Qayyum told AFP.

Qayyum said the judges were not entitled to any post-retirement benefits.

"However, the government will soon enact a law to enable these judges to get these benefits," he added. He said the retired judges would also have to vacate their official residences for their successors.

Many of the judges, however, say that they remain under effective house arrest in their residences, where they have been kept under heavy police guard since the state of emergency began.

Only four of the Supreme Court's former total of 17 judges agreed to be sworn in under emergency legislation brought in by Musharraf.

Musharraf has been at loggerheads with the judiciary since he tried to sack former chief justice Chaudhry in March, a move that led to massive street protests and sent his popularity plummeting.

Chaudhry was finally dispatched when he refused to take the oath.

Critics say Musharraf's main motivation for imposing the emergency was to purge the Supreme Court of hostile judges amid fears that they would overturn his victory in an October 6 presidential election.

The new-look court rubberstamped his election win last month and Musharraf was subsequently sworn in for a second term as president, albeit this time as a civilian after quitting his dual role as army chief.

RU correspondent

The teachers of Mass Communication department and the members of the liaison committee of Rajshahi University (RU) yesterday separately met the VC to discuss release of their convicted colleagues.

The teachers of the department met VC Prof M Altaf Hossain at noon. They told the VC that the conviction of their colleagues has made them anxious and requested the VC to arrange their immediate release.

The Liasion Committee members who met the Vice Chancellor were Prof Nazrul Islam, convener of the committee, Zillur Rahman, Chairman of Rajshahi University teachers' Association, Prof Rafiqul Islam, Prof Emtajul M Haque, Prof Mukhlesur Rahman, Prof. Gulam Kabir, Prof Jahid Hasan Milky, Prof M Hamid, Prof Asma Siddika, Dean of Law and Justice and Sohrab Ali.

M Khademul Islam, Chairman of Mass Communication said, "We have met the VC and requested him to arrange freedom of our colleagues."

Prof Muklesur Rahman, a member of the liaison committee said, "We have met the VC and apprised him of the Law Adviser's positive comment about detained teachers.We are very hopeful of the release of our colleagues."

RU Vice Chancellor Prof. Altaf Hossain said, "We are trying hard to get the teachers released.

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court Wednesday declared null and void the tax-evasion case against detained former state minister for power Iqbal Hassan Mahmud Tuku, dealing a blow to government revenue authority's drive to book tax-dodgers.

A 2-judge bench headed by Justice M A Rashid pronounced the judgment, visibly throwing the National Board of Revenue (NBR) counsel into frustration.

The grounds for making the HC rule absolute could not be known immediately.

The NBR filed the case accusing Tuku of evading over Tk 3.80 crore in income tax during 1999-2007 period. On Aug 29, the High Court, upon a petition, had stayed midway the trial proceedings of the income-tax-evasion case against Tuku and issued a rule upon the NBR to explain why the case 'should not be quashed'.

According to the case statement, Tuku, who repeatedly submitted "false" information to the income-tax department about his real income and expenditure, didn't disclose his income-tax return. He also "used his ministerial position to conceal information about his real income", the complainant complained.

Besides, allegations have it that Tuku didn't submit statements about his non-agricultural property, motor vehicles, bank statements, credit cards, and savings investments, fixed deposit and interest on deposit.

Meanwhile, Tuku, arrested in February, is now serving in jail following a fast-track court judgment delivered on November 15 in a graft case.

The court, trying high-profile corruption suspects, ordered confiscating his property worth about Tk 3 crore to the state coffers while sentencing him to nine years imprisonment in the graft case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission under the ongoing purge.

Barrister Rafique-ul Huq, assisted by Barrister Ajmalul Hossain, QC, appeared for the convicted ex-minister of the immediate-past BNP-led coalition government.

UNB, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed Wednesday said donations received to CA's Relief and Welfare Fund are being spent on relief and primary rehabilitation purposes, mainly house rebuilding, in the cyclone-ravaged areas.

So far, Tk 60 crore of the Relief Fund has been disbursed and is being distributed at the field level, he said while receiving donations for the fund from a number of individuals and government and private institutions and organizations at his office.

"The government is extending assistance to the victims of the powerful cyclone sdir, including farmers, fishermen, poultry and livestock farmers, and small traders, to involve them, as soon as possible, in economic activities," said the CA. Dr Fakhruddin said his government wants to upgrade life of the cyclone-hit people through long-term rehabilitation measures. "Combined efforts of all would make it possible to improve the lifestyle of the cyclone-stricken people," he said, as there have been massive operations going on along the country's battered coastline.

The CA mentioned his Monday's meeting with Ambassadors and High Commissioners of friendly countries and representatives of development partners for cooperation in the government's long-term rehabilitation planning. Those donated yesterday and were present include on behalf of Water Resources Ministry its Adviser Maj Gen (Rtd) ASM Matiur Rahman, former Secretary and IGP AYBI Siddiqi, Vice-chancellor of BUET Prof Dr AMM Safiullah, Vice-chancellor of Islamic University Prof Faez Mohammad Sirajul Huq, managing director of Pubali Bank Ltd Helal Ahmed Chowdhury, managing Director of Bata Shoe Company (Bangladesh) Ltd JD Hearns, on behalf of Uttara Club Md Liaqat Ali, managing director of MAK Steel Industries Md Joynal Abedin, coordinator of RDRS Bangladesh Sufia Noorani, Director, Ever Fashion Ltd, Habil Ahmed Chowdhury and Syed Ruhul Amin and Shafinaj Amin.

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a meeting yesterday said all young people of the country should get basic military training for defending the sovereignty of the country.

The discussion on 'Independence and Sovereignty Thoughts of Citizen' presided over by M Yousuf Ali, Vice Chancellor of Green University was organised by Bangladesh Shachetan Nagorik Shomaj.

Former Chief Election Commissioner Justice Abdur Rauf was chief guest.

Justice Rauf said the whole nation should get defence training. "The combined force of every citizen of the country can protect the sovereignty and independence of the country," he said.

"The people of the country should be given their recognition as citizen and let them feel that they are the owner of the country," he said adding, "politicians must recognise the 'Article 7' of the constitution that says people are the main source of power."

The former CEC said the main problem of Bangladesh was indiscipline.

President of Jatiya Ganotantrik Dal (JAGPA) Shafiul Alam Pradhan said the main obstacle to the defence of the country was India. The armed forces of the country do not have a decisive enemy.

He said, "We want development in friendship with India but that should be based on equal status."

He said from the very beginning of the country's independence betrayal and conspiracy took place in the country to hijack our sovereignty.

Slamming India for various anti Bangladesh strategies he termed India the biggest threat for the country.

Chairman of National Peoples' Party Shiekh Shawkat Hossain Nilu said people who raise the demand of the trial of war criminals after 36 years of our independence demand this for fulfilling their personal interest by dividing the country on the issue.

He blamed Dr Kamal Hossain, Zillur Rahman and Tofael Ahmed for not punishing the war criminals while in power. People who did not put the war criminals on trial are themselves criminal.

Staff Reporter

Communications Adviser Maj Gen (Retd) MA Matin said yesterday that no single individual would be found in the cyclone affected areas who did not receive any relief goods.

While visiting the cyclone battered Kathalia in Jhalakathi district, Matin, who is also the Chief Coordinator of Central Relief and Rehabilitation Works at Barisal Airport, ordered the authorities concerned to ensure reaching relief goods and start the rehabilitation process in the affected areas.

Later, he told journalists that there might be some mistakes in the relief distribution process, but not a single individual would be found who did not receive the relief.

Meanwhile, our Barisal Correspondent reports: Bangla-desh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) has deployed two vessels for carrying relief items. It has also offered relief transportation at free of cost.

Khalid Newaz, Barisal station manager of BIWTC, said Sea Truck Khizir-4 after emergency repairing was floated from dockyard and deployed for carrying relief items to remote isolated areas.

After loading 50 tonnes of relief items, the vessel left Barisal for Rangabali coastal areas of Patuakhali on Tuesday.

Another vessel MV Karnaphuli, previously worked as ferry, also deployed for carrying relief items and left Barisal for Sidr distressed areas of Barguna yesterday.

Personnels of joint forces including coast guard are on the board of the vessel to do and supervise the distribution of relief items.

Besides BIWTC rocket steamer MV Sela will give a trip to Sidr distressed areas from Dhaka to Morelganj and Sannaysi of Bagerhat via Barisal, Baro Machua, Mathbabira of Pirojpur, for carrying relief items and relief teams free of cost.

BIWTC also offered fare-free carrying of relief items on its vessels till further order, the official added.

Meanwhile, a week-long programme on HIV/AIDS ended in Barisal with a call for raising moral values and making social commitment for prevention of the deadly disease.

The programmes on HIV/AIDS with slogan 'prevention of AIDS-our commitment, take the leadership' that started on November 29 ended in Barisal yesterday emphasizing on upbringing moral values in personal, family and social lives and combined efforts of class of the society with commitments.

Association of Voluntary Action for Society (AVAS), a prominent non-government organization of Barisal region arranged these programmes funded by UNFPA. The programmes included quiz and debate competitions in educational institutions and motivational discussions in religious institutions, rallies, cultural functions, different types of awareness programs, including installing boards, placing banners, carrying festoons, shutting posters, lauching cassettes and CDs on HIV/AIDS.

The closing ceremony of the program was held at Barisal BDS Auditorium with a day-long roundtable conference among 53 prominent leaders and personalities of different professional, social, religious, cultural organizations, groups and classes.

Rahima Sultana Kajal, Executive Director, presided over and Murad Ahmed and Mousumi Jahan, project officials of AVAS conducted the program which was attended by Santosh Kumar Talukdar, additional divisional commissioner, Kazi Mortaz Ahmed, deputy commissioner of Barisal Metropolitan Police, Dr Aziz Rahim, principal of Barisal SBMC, Dr. Maniruzzaman, director of Barisal SBMCH, as chief and special guests.

In the roundtable discussion it was disclosed that the number of AIDS patients in Bangladesh was detected 626 till 2000 and it was increased to 223 in 2006 and 333 till November 2007. Thus, the risks of HIV/AIDS are quickly increasing in Bangladesh.

The participants emphasized on rearing moral values and maintaining strict principles regarding religious, social, personal and family lives as well as increasing awareness in the society for taking preventive and precautionary measures in sex life and attitude.

Sermons in religious programs and functions, curriculum in text books, regular blood test and checkup of expatriate nationals and foreigners after entering inside our country, compulsion of submitting medical certificate before marriage registration and issuing health cards to the sex workers and their clients, also suggested by them.

They also called for more cautions and hard implementation in ensuring safe blood transfusion, using one time usable and dispensable injecting syringe, controlling drug addiction, learning lessons from success in HIV/AIDS prevention in Thailand and Egypt.

HIV/AIDS patients also be encouraged to prove their accountability to the society and society also have to ensure social rights of their living without any humiliation and fight against this deadly disease could only be won by a total combined and sincere efforts of all classes and professions of the society.

UNB, Dhaka

Awami League presidium member Tofail Ahmed, one of the corrupt suspects whose name appeared on the final list, on Wednesday submitted his wealth statement to the Anti-Corruption Commission claiming that he and his family members have wealth worth about Tk 1.25 crore.

Tofail's lawyer Khandaker Moniruzzaman told UNB that he submitted the wealth statement on his client's behalf to ACC secretary Mokhles-ur-Rahman.

He said Tofail has a house in Banani, 25 bihgas of ancestral land and a brick-kiln in Bhola. There is also a house in Bhola town in his daughter's name.

Tofail, along with 11 other corrupt suspects, was issued notice by the Commission on November 18 directing him to submit his wealth statement within seven working days. He was given another seven working days to comply with the ACC directive following an application seeking time extension.

Meanwhile, AL leader AKM Rahamatullah, also one of the listed corrupt suspects, yesterday submitted his wealth statement to the Commission. But, the details of his wealth statement were not available.

Jatiya Party secretary general Ruhul Amin Hawlader Tuesday submitted his wealth statement to the Commission disclosing that he and his wife Ratna Hawlader have assets worth about Tk 12 crore.

Of the assets, the couple has one 12-storied building in Tejgaon industrial area, one flat in Gulshan, 20 homesteads in Barisal, two vehicles and one gun.

Abul Hasem Miah, a supervisor of New Market Post Office, Tuesday submitted his wealth statement to the ACC showing assets worth about Tk 1 crore.

Court Correspondent

A Court of Dhaka yesterday refixed January 01 of 2008 for submission of inquiry report in GATCO graft case filed against 13 persons including former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and her younger son Arafat Rahman Koko.

As the Investigation Officer did not submit the report Md. Golam Rabbani, Additional Metropolitan Magistrate 3 refixed the new date.

Meanwhile, as Lutfozzaman Babar, former State Minister for Home Affairs was ill he could not be produced before the Court yesterday in Ramna Thana Case No. 10 (10) 07 in connection with bribe of Taka 21 crore. Similarly, he could not be produced before the Court earlier due to his illness.

Meanwhile, another case was filed yesterday against former State Minister Aman Ullah Aman and 8 others for killing a man at Mandail Khalipapara under Keraniganj of Dhaka Under Sections 302 and 120 of the Penal Code.

Complainant Selim Zahangir alias Tuntun of Keraniganj made 8 persons including himself witness of the case.

The incident allegedly took place on July 25, 2003. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate of Dhaka ordered to treat the petition as First Information Report (FIR) and the case was numbered Petition Case No. 16 (A) 07 of Keraniganj PS.