Communications Adviser MA Matin made this comment to reporters yesterday when he was asked about a Kolkata-based newspaper report that quoted Indian intelligence agency officials as saying Tarique had close links with Ibrahim as well as the al-Qaeda.

"I saw this in newspapers but this is just a bit of information. Now it is the duty of the intelligence agencies to investigate the matter and find out the evidence," he said. The government will have to check the veracity of the report's claims, he added.

"Tarique will be charged and legal action will be taken against him if the allegation is proved true," said Matin, also chairman of the National Coordination Committee to prevent grievous crimes.

A report titled "Khaleda's son contacted Daud to buy arms" was published by the daily Anandabazar Patrika citing an intelligence report of the Indian external affairs ministry.

Tarique also established contacts with the al-Qaeda through his involvement in the international money laundering, the report claimed.

The newspaper said Tarique and the then National Security Intelligence director general Rezzakul Haider Chowdhury travelled to Dubai in March 2006 to secure a series of deals at a Dubai hotel to buy arms and ammunition in the lead up to the cancelled January 22 parliamentary elections.

The report said Tarique also purchased a palatial mansion worth $60 million in Dubai.

The two also came to an understanding that Tarique would buy large swaths of land which would be locally managed by Ibrahim, the report claimed.