Charges framed against ex-DMCH director, 6 others

A Dhaka court framed charges against former DMCH director Brig Gen (retd) Bazle Quader and six others in a case filed against them for misappropriating Tk 2.31 crore in the name of drug purchase.

After framing the charges, Mohammad Zahirul Haque of the Senior Special Judges' Court fixed October 20 to start the trial of the case.

Six of the accused including Bazle Quader, now in custody, claimed themselves innocent and demanded justice.

The other accused are DMCH assistant professor Dr Atiar Rahman, former deputy director Dr Md Foyzullah, two ex-accounts officers -- both named Nazrul Islam -- and proprietor of MS Habib Traders Habibur Rahman.

The court also rejected bail of the six accused after their lawyers submitted separate petitions.

Another accused Moshiur Rahman, a DMCH physician, remains absconding since filing of the case.

On November 16, 2011, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case bringing allegation that a group of DMCH staff including its former director Bazle Qader purchased 7,409 ampoules of drug at a price higher than the market rate, causing a loss of over Tk 2.31 crore to the state coffers between July 2009 and June 2010.

A huge amount of money was also misappropriated in the process of buying glossy printing papers or simple needles.

ACC on May 15 this year pressed charges against the accused.