The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The investigation report on the Niko graft case filed against detained ex-PM Khaleda Zia and four others was submitted yesterday to the Anti-Corruption Commission recommending submission of charge sheet against 14 people, including the five charged initially.

"ACC assistant director Sahidur Rahman, the investigation officer (IO), today submitted the memo of evidence (investigation report) with the Commission," ACC director general (admin) Col Hanif Iqbal, also the Commission's spokesperson, told UNB.

About the number of people recommended to be included in the charge sheet, he said, "The report was submitted at the end of the day. So, I can't tell you about the number."

But, a competent source close to investigation told UNB that the IO has recommended submission of charge sheet against 14 people, including the five accused in the first information report (FIR)."

Replying to a query, the source said, "Yes, the IO will recommend charge-sheeting former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and other initially four accused, as their involvement was found during investigation." Apart from the initially accused ones, the other persons recommended to be charge-sheeted include businessman former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Dr Kamal Uddin Siddiqui, businessman Giasuddin Al Mamun, former Dhaka Club president Selim Bhuiyan and Law Ministry joint secretary Noren Das.

On December 9, ACC assistant director Mahbubul Alam filed the case with Tejgaon police station against Khaleda Zia, former Law Minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed, ex-State Minister for Energy AKM Mosharraf Hossain, former secretary Khandaker Shahidul Islam and vice-president (South Asian Affairs) Niko Resources Bangladesh Limited Kashem Sharif.

They were accused of signing the "illegal" deal with Niko through corruption that inflicted a loss of Tk 10,000 crore on the State.

During the investigation that lasted for 60 working days, the

investigation team has recorded the statements of more than 50

people, including Khaleda, Moudud and AKM Mosharraf.