HC questions govt inaction for not initiating proceedings against BERC member

The High Court (HC) today questioned the government’s inaction to initiate proceedings against Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission’s (BERC) member Md Abdul Aziz Khan as he is a charge-sheeted accused of a case filed for misappropriation of 1.43 lakh tonnes of coal from Barapukuria Coal Mine.

The court issued a rule asking the authorities concerned of the government to explain in seven days why their inaction to this effect should not be declared illegal.

The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman came up with the rule following a writ petition filed by Consumer Association of Bangladesh’s (CAB) Convener Architect Mubassher Hossain seeking necessary order on the issue.

The case was filed by the manager (Administration) of Barapukuria Coal Mine Company Limited (BCMCL) against 19 persons in Parbatipur Police Station of Dinajpur on July 24 last year.

The Anti-Corruption Commission on July 21 submitted the charge sheet to the trial court against 23 persons including Abdul Aziz.

After submission of the charge sheet, the magistrate’s court concerned issued arrest warrant against all the accused.

In the meantime, Md Abdul Aziz surrendered before the magistrate’s court and obtained bail in the corruption case.

The petitioner on July 28 sent a complaint to the president through the secretary of Energy and Mineral Resources Division to form a committee to investigate allegation against Abdul Aziz Khan.

But despite repeated requests, the secretary had not forwarded the complaint of the petitioner to the president for taking further action in accordance with the law, Petitioner’s lawyer Jyotirmoy Barua said, adding that Section 11 of Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Act, 2003 contains the criteria for removal of the chairman and member of BERC and the procedure of the removal.

Deputy Attorney General Amit Talukder represented the state.