ACC sues civil surgeon, another doc

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed two cases with Patuakhali and Kalapara police stations yesterday against two health officials including the civil surgeon (CS) on charge of misappropriating about Tk 35 lakh.

Manik Lal Das, sub assistant director of ACC, filed the cases, said officers in charge of the respective police stations.

ACC sources said the health department allocated Tk 30 lakh for cleaning purpose of Dumki Upazila Health Complex in 2017-18 fiscal year and later Patuakhali CS Dr Mozahedul Islam received Tk 26.67 (after deducting VAT) by submitting false vouchers and misappropriated all the money.

ACC found the allegation true in their primary investigation and finally filed the case with Patuakhali Police Station yesterday.

ACC filed another case with Kalapara Police Station the same day, accusing Dr Chinmoy Hawlader, Kalapara upazila health and family planning officer, of misappropriating about Tk 9 lakh.

The health department allocated Tk 10 lakh for repair, maintenance and cleaning of Kalapara upazila health office in 2017-18 fiscal year.

Asked by CS Dr Mozahedul Islam, Kalapara health officer Dr Chinmoy Hawlader withdrew Tk 9.29 lakh of the allocated money by submitting false vouchers and he gave Tk 5.94 lakh to the CS and himself misappropriated the rest of money Tk 3.35, it was alleged.

This allegation was also found true in ACC's primary investigation, said Manik Lal Das.

Contacted, CS Dr Mozahedul Islam said, “I have not received the copy of the case and so, I cannot comment on the matter. I don't know about the allegation brought against me.”