The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has not taken any decision to get the wealth accounts of the candidates contesting the local government polls as the Election Commission (EC) is dealing with the matter.

"However, the ACC will look into it as per law if any request comes from the Election Commission to verify the accuracy of their wealth statements submitted to the EC," Director General (admin) and spokesperson of the ACC Colonel Hanif Iqbal said on Thursday.

At his regular press briefing in ACC conference room here, the DG said the ACC has to follow some procedure under its law before asking a person to submit wealth statement.

But, the commission has not yet thought of taking the wealth accounts of the candidates, he said, adding, "we will certainly take it into our cognizance if any request in this regard comes from the EC."

Hanif Iqbal said the commission approved charge-sheet of a case filed against businessman Salman F Rahman and six others with Motijeel Thana last year for their fraudulent activities in rescheduling a loan taken from the IFIC Bank.

The commission also approved charge sheet of a case filed against two persons including former MP Nurul Islam Moni for misappropriating the relief tin.

The ACC gave nod to two other charge sheets - one against Abdul Latif Biswas, former municipal administrator of Putia Pourasabha of Rajshahi, and the other against Derick Stephen Kuia, a suspended police sub-inspector of South Surma thana of Sylhet.

Charges were brought against Abdul Latif for embezzling the money collected from different markets as tolls and against Derick for taking bribes.

The DG said the ACC decided to lodge an FIR against four persons including former Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Sylhet and incumbent Joint Secretary of the Ministry of CHT Affairs M Abul Hossain on charges of corruption in registering land of Sylhet Ambarkhana.

Replying to a question, the DG said the commission deemed that the processes of conducting preliminary inquiry and investigation into wealth of a person, as well as the method of approval of FIRs and filing process of the cases are all right as per law.

"But, the ACC will reply to the rule of the court as it (court) has questioned the process and issued rule upon us. After final judgement of the court it would be clear whether we are right or wrong," he said.