Staff Reporter :
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided to reopen the investigation into the Padma Bridge corruption case.
ACC Director General Akhtarul Islam confirmed the information during a press conference on Tuesday.
The case was originally filed at Banani police station on December 17, 2012.
The case alleged a criminal conspiracy involving several high-ranking officials and representatives of SNC-Lavalin International Inc, aimed at manipulating the bidding process for the Padma Multipurpose Bridge project.
The accused include Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, former secretary of the Bridge Division and executive director of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority; Kazi Ferdaus, former superintendent engineer (River Training) of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority; Riaz Ahmed Jaber, executive engineer of the Roads and Highways Department; Mostafa, deputy managing director of Engineering and Planning Consultant Limited (EPC), Dhaka; Md Ismail, former director of the International Project Division at SNC-Lavalin International Inc; Ramesh Shah, former vice president of the International Project Division at SNC-Lavalin International Inc; and Kevin Wallace of SNC-Lavalin International Inc.
The allegations include orchestrating bribery and violating legal and procedural guidelines to ensure SNC-Lavalin International Inc secured the consultancy contract for supervising the construction of the bridge.
Following an initial investigation, a final report was submitted to the court on September 17, 2014.
However, after reviewing the case details, the ACC has decided to conduct further investigation to ensure a thorough and transparent resolution.
Confirming the decision to reopen the investigation, ACC Director General Akhtarul Islam said: “After a detailed review, we found it necessary to conduct further investigation into the case to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy and ensure justice.”
The ACC has also decided to initiate separate investigations into allegations of large-scale corruption and irregularities involving high-profile individuals in various sectors.
Among those under scrutiny are Tariq Ahmed Siddiqui, former military advisor to the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina; Mohibul Haque, former senior secretary; Janendranath Sarkar, former joint secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism; Md Mafidur Rahman, former chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB); Abdul Malek, former chief engineer; Habibur Rahman, superintendent engineer of the Civil Aviation Authority; Mahbub Anam; and Lutfullah Majed, owner of Aeroness International, for allegations of misappropriating thousands of crores of taka over the last 15 years in airport development projects.
Additionally, Nasrul Hamid Bipu, former state minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, is under investigation for alleged syndicate-led corruption in the power sector.
In Rajshahi, AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, former mayor of Rajshahi, and eight former MPs from six constituencies, including Shahriar Alam, Omar Faruk Chowdhury, Fazle Hossain Badsha, Asaduzzaman Asad, AyenUddin, Enamul Haque, Abul Kalam Azad, and Dara-Monsur, are being probed for allegations of misappropriating assets worth Tk6,000 crore and fleeing into hiding.
Dilip Kumar Agarwal, central industry and commerce sub-committee member of the Awami League, and Enamul Haque Dolon, former president of the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (Bajus), are under investigation for allegations of gold smuggling and amassing wealth worth thousands of crores of taka during the Awami League government.
