The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Investigation into Zia Orphanage Trust graft case filed by Anti-Corruption Commission against detained former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, her elder son Tarique Rahman and five others is at the final stage.

The investigation report on the high profile case will be submitted to ACC with recommendation for submitting charge sheet against the accused.

Investigation into the case is at the final stage. Deputy assistant director Harunur Rashid, the investigating officer (IO), will submit the memo of evidence (investigation report) with the Commission next week recommending charge-sheeting against the accused, a competent source told UNB.

The source added, "Subject to approval of the Commission, the charge sheet will be submitted."

Asked if there would be recommendation for charge-sheeting against more people than the accused individuals, the source said, "I can't tell you this."

Meanwhile, as part of the investigation, the IO yesterday visited Bogra where he questioned several persons in connection with the case and seized relevant documents.

On July 3, the anti-graft watchdog filed the case against Khaleda,

Tarique Rahman and five others for embezzling over Tk 2.10 crore in the name of an establishment called Zia Orphanage Trust. The embezzled money was meant for the welfare of the country's orphans.

The five other accused in the case are former BNP lawmaker Kazi Salimul Haque, Syed Ahmed alias Sayeed Ahmed, Gias Uddin Ahmed, Sharfuddin Ahmed and Mominur Rahman, a nephew of late President Ziaur Rahman.

During the investigation, Khaleda and Tarique were questioned on July 23 in connection with the case. Khaleda was questioned at the makeshift prison while her son was quizzed at the prison cell of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.

Sharfuddin Ahmed, one of the main accused in the case, was arrested the following day (July 24) when he was summoned to the Commission for questioning.