The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Against the backdrop of the High Court verdict on an extortion case against Sheikh Hasina, the Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday indicated that the Commission would correct the procedures of its cases under the Emergency Power Rules if there is any directive in the final judgement of the Appellate Division.

A division bench of the High Court Wednesday declared illegal the trial of the Tk 3-crore extortion case under the Emergency Power Rules (EPR) against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The entire trial proceedings of the case filed by Azam J Chowdhury were also quashed.

Even though the case was not filed by the ACC, there are many cases filed by the Commission under the Emergency Power Rules against many, including former premieres Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda and others.

"It was the verdict of the High Court. After that, there is Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. It is the matter for the court (Appellate Division) if today's verdict prevails," ACC director general (admin) Col Hanif Iqbal, also the Commission's spokesperson, told a regular briefing in reply to questions regarding the impact of the verdict might have on the ACC cases under the EPR.

"Before full completion of the legal activities, it'll not be wise to comment in this regard. About the cases (under EPR), if there is any direction in the final judgement of court (Appellate Division), the Commission, if needed, will take corrective measures," he said.

Saying that the Commission will accept the verdict of the court, Hanif remarked, "The Commission believes in fair justice. At the same time, the Commission is vested with the responsibility to protect the interests of the people and the state."

Asked what the Commission thinks about the impact of the verdict, he said he does not know if there has been any discussion in this regard.

When asked about the number of the ACC cases under the EPR, he could not provide any statistics.

To a query about the list of 49 Titas Gas employees to be sent to the Commission, Hanif said the ACC has not yet received the list.

Asked if the Commission endorses the way task force is taking back the ill-gotten money of the employees in return for immunity, he said when the issue would come to the ACC, it would look into this from the legal point of view and the Commission would decide on this.

Replying to a question, Hanif said it is not that the decisions of the task force and the Commission would be the same. "The Commission is run based on its schedule and stipulated law. The Commission will do nothing deviating from the law."

To a questioner, he said the interviews of deputy directors and assistant directors, who were earlier not absorbed by the Commission, began today and the process to scrutinise them has begun.

The director general informed the briefing that the Commission has approved the issuance of notice to former BNP MP Sarder Sakhawat Hossain Bakul directing him to submit his wealth statement.

The Commission has approved the submission of charge sheets in cases against former minister Shajahan Siraj and his wife Rabeya Siraj, former Awami League MP Haji Makbul Hossain and his wife Golam Fatema Tahera Khanam, and former Dhaka Medical College Hospital professor and DAB leader AZM Zahid Hossain and his wife Rifat Hossain for concealing information and acquiring wealth beyond their known sources of income.

The ACC also approved the filing of a case against former CBA leader of Water Development Board Abul Kalam Azad and his wife Kohinoor Sultana for concealment of information and amassing wealth beyond their known sources of income.