The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Barguna

Joint forces arrested Md Shahadat Hossain, an influential contractor and secretary of Barguna Contractors Association, from his residence in the town on Friday afternoon on charge of mediating to bribe the officer-in-charge (O/C) of Sadar thana.

Sources at the local Naval camp said the joint forces on July 28 arrested 21 contractors during a negotiation on tender for construction of houses under a post-Sidr housing project funded by the Japanese government.

After interrogation of the arrested persons, 10 contractors were released and 11 others handed over to the Sadar thana for release against written undertaking.

Later, Sadar thana O/C M Ishak Ali demanded Tk 10,000 per person for releasing the detained contractors, the sources said.

On the night of July 29, Contractors Association secretary Shahadat Hussain allegedly went to the residence of O/C Ishak and gave him Tk 100,000 while negotiating the release of his fellow contractors.

After the members of Barguna Naval contingent became certain of the deal, Shahadat Hussain was picked up from his residence. Contractor Shahadat later gave a written statement in presence of executive magistrate Mohammad Motakabbir and admitted his guilt to the journalists present.

When contacted over mobile phone, O/C Ishaq said he is now on leave and knows nothing about the bribe.

Police Super M Tanvir Haider Chowdhury, however, said action would be taken against the O/C after inquiry.