Corruption in procurement: Departmental case against Suhrawardy Hospital director

The health ministry has filed a departmental case against the Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital director Prof Dr Uttam Kumar Barua for corruption worth around Tk 6.4 crore in purchasing medical equipment.

The case was filed after the investigation committee found proof of corruption against him in primary investigation, according to a letter signed by the secretary of the health services division Md Abdul Mannan today.

According to the letter, Dr Barua committed corruption in the procurement of eight operation theatre lights, two coblation machines, and two anesthesia machines with ventilators in 2018-19 fiscal.

Prof Dr Uttam Kumar Barua has been asked to explain within 10 working days why he will not be punished for his "misconduct and corruption".

"As the factuality of the allegations have been proven in primary investigation,... you (Prof Barua) are accused of misconduct and corruption in accordance with government employee Rules 2018," read the notice.

In the meantime, the ministry has also asked to inform whether he wants personal hearing in this regard.