The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has approved the submission of charge sheet against detained BNP senior joint secretary general and detained former prime mister Begum Khaleda Zia's eldest son Tarique Rahman, in a case for hiding information in his wealth statement and earning property inconsistent to his known sources of income.

ACC Director General (Admin) Col Hanif Iqbal stated this yesterday while briefing newsmen at the Commission office. He said Tarique Rahman's wife Dr Jobaida Rahman and his mother-in-law Iqbal Mand Banu will also be charge-sheeted in the case.

According to sources the charge sheet is likely to be submitted next week. With this Tarique Rahman would be charge-sheeted for the second time after his arrest from his cantonment residence on March 8 last year. Earlier he was charge sheeted in an extortion case.

The ACC Director General said the Commission approved the submission of charge sheet against Tarique Rahman for acquiring wealth worth Tk about 2.75 crore, including concealment of information of assets worth Tk over Tk 2.16 crore.

He said Tarique's wife and mother-in-law would also be charge-sheeted, as it was proved during the investigation that both of them assisted him in trying to prove the ill-gotten Tk 35 lakh was earned legally.

The charge sheet would be submitted as the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, the Penal Code and the Emergency Power Rules, 2007.

Replying to a question, he said a supplementary charge sheet, if necessary, would be submitted or separate cases would be filed against the detained BNP leader.

The ACC Director General said subject to availability of information more cases would be filed against Tarique, if necessary.

"It was not said anywhere that this was the only charge against Tarique Rahman. If needed and if information are available, more cases will be filed against him," he said.

The ACC filed the case with Kafrul police station against Tarique, his wife Dr Jobaida Rahman and mother-in-law Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu on September 26 last year for concealing information of assets worth about Tk 4.23 crore and acquiring wealth worth about Tk 4.81 crore beyond their known sources of income.

After the filing of the case, ACC assistant director Taufiqul Islam investigated the case and submitted memo of evidence on January 13 this year.

Besides, the ACC Director General said the commission yesterday filed a case against former Awami League lawmaker AKM Rahmat Ullah for amassing wealth beyond his known sources of income and concealing information.

His wife Halima Rahmat Ullah and son Safayet Ullah have also been

made accused in the case.

The ACC Director General said the FIR was filed with Ramna police station accusing Rahmat Ullah, his wife and son of acquiring wealth worth Tk 5.08 crore inconsistent to their known sources of income and hiding information of wealth worth over Tk 4.56 crore.

About the proposed Truth Commission, he said the ACC is yet to send its comments on it to the higher authorities.

Replying to a question, Hanif said the Commission is discussing the matter in its meetings everyday.