ACC filed Padma graft case under WB pressure: outgoing chairman

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had filed the Padma bridge graft case in 2012 in the face of the pressure of the World Bank, the commission’s outgoing Chairman M Bodiuzzaman said today.

Due to the pressure, the Padma bridge corruption case was filed without necessary relevant evidence and documents, Bodiuzzaman said at his farewell programme at ACC office in Dhaka.

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On June 29, 2012, the WB cancelled its US$1.2 billion funding for the Padma bridge project, saying it had proof of a “corruption plots” involving Bangladeshi officials, executives of a Canadian firm and some individuals.

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On December 17, 2012, the ACC filed the Padma bridge graft conspiracy case with Banani Police Station, accusing ex-Bridges Division secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, Superintendent Engineer of Bangladesh Bridge Authority Kazi Mohammad Ferdous, Executive Engineer of Roads and Highways Department Reaz Ahmed Zaber, and former local agent of SNC Lavalin Mohammad Mostofa and its ex-officials Mohammad Ismail, Ramesh Shah and Kevin Wales.

On September 03,  2014 ACC cleared all accused in case and also exonerated ex-communications minister Syed Abul Hossain and ex-state minister for foreign affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury of alleged involvement in the graft conspiracy, saying none were found guilty.

“It [filing of case] was not properly done. We have done this only to ensure World Bank’s funding in the bridge project,” Bodiuzzaman said without giving any further clarification in this regard.

Over acquittal of the all officials accused of corruption in the Padma bridge project, he said, “We have proved the case false after conducting investigation.”

The ACC hosted a farewell reception in the honour of Bodiuzzaman with its commissioner (investigation) Nasiruddin Ahmed in the chair.