The Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday said it would make a decision over whether to launch an inquiry regarding the alleged corruption in importing wheat from Brazil after scrutinising the findings of different government agencies.
“Some government agencies are now conducting investigation into alleged corruption in importing the substandard wheat. We will scrutinise their findings and then decide on launching an inquiry into the matter,” said ACC Director General M Samsul Arifin told reporters during its monthly press briefing.
He said the ACC would also follow the directives of the High Court.
On July 9, the Supreme Court stayed a High Court verdict that had directed the government to take back the wheat from consumers if they want to return the grain. The High Court also asked the government not to force anyone to consume the wheat.
The Food Ministry imported 2.5 lakh tonnes of wheat from Brazil for FY 2014-15 at a cost of Tk400 crore.
Asked why the ACC did not sue former post and telecommunication minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui even after approving filing of the case against him on allegation of misappropriation of government property, Director Belal Ahmed said: “We are reviewing the matter.”
The reporters then asked him why the commission had not reviewed the matter beforehand, Belal avoided a direct answer and said: “It is matter of the commission.”
On money laundering, the DG said the commission was waiting for some information from the financial intelligence unit of Bangladesh Bank.
“The ACC is yet to make any decision regarding the alleged loan fraud and employment corruption of the managing director of Agrani Bank. The commission is now scrutinising the matter,” Arifin said.
He added that from January to June this year, the commission has received 4,329 complaints. During this time, the commission approved 182 cases and 282 charge sheets after completing investigation.
Petitioner files fresh writ
Dhaka Judge’s Court lawyer Pavel Mia has again filed a writ petition with the Supreme Court seeking directives upon the government to examine the much-talked wheat at a “neutral laboratory.”
The petition filed yesterday also sought the apex court’s directive to form a committee by the court to collect samples for the laboratory test.
The Supreme Court chamber judge will hear the petition on July 21.
Pavel Mia filed the first writ petition on the matter with the High Court last month. He also sought the ACC’s inquiry into the import process.
“We want the wheat to be tested in a neutral laboratory which is beyond the control of the government. There are such laboratories in the country,” petitioner’s lawyer Shanjid Siddique said.
Following the first writ petition, the High Court on July 8 directed the government not to compel any person, any organisation or department to accept the wheat. It also asked the government to take the wheat back if anyone do not want to keep that.
Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Justice Hasan Foez Siddique stayed the order in response to a petition filed by the government. The judge also sent the petition to the Appellate Division’s full bench for hearing on July 26. This means the stay order will be in effect until the petition is disposed of.