Bangladeshs anti-graft body finds no merit in Khaleda case

Bangladeshs Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided not to take into cognisance the corruption allegations against former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, saying they lack merit.

Dhaka, Oct 26 : Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided not to take into cognisance the corruption allegations against former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, saying they "lack merit".

The cases against Zia pertain to the compensation for Magurchhara gas field blow-out and leasing out Phulbari coal zone to Asia Energy.

As per the findings of the preliminary enquiry about allegations against Khaleda, the anti-graft body has taken the decision that the allegations have no merit.

"As enough documents and evidence were not found for preparing a first information report [FIR] against the former prime minister, the enquiry officer in his report suggested not to proceed further in this regard," ACC Secretary Mukhles Ur Rahman was quoted as saying at a press briefing at the ACC headquarters on Thursday.

ACC Deputy Assistant Director Farid Uddin Ahmed had submitted the report, saying no evidence or information was found to prove the allegations brought against Khaleda.

"The commission does not proceed with allegations lacking merit," Mukhles said.

It was alleged that Khaleda played "dubious" roles in realising the compensation for the Magurchhara blow-out caused by negligence of US company Occidental in 1997 and leasing out Phulbari coal zone to Asia Energy.

According to an investigation report on the Magurchhara blow-out, awarding of the gas blocks to Occidental itself was highly controversial. The blow-out on June 14, 1997 caused a loss of Tk 3,900 crore.

The ACC is also investigating into allegations of awarding gas fields to Niko Resources involving both the BNP chairperson and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina.

The commission is likely to publish the investigation report in November.

ANI