ACC sends final notice to Khaleda today

The Anti-Corruption Commission will issue its fourth and final notice on former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia today seeking appointment with her for questioning on two allegations against her now being probed.
In reply to the ACC's earlier three notices, Khaleda had said she needed to go through documents concerning the allegations before being questioned.
Each time the anti-graft body assured the former premier that it would let her do so before questioning starts.
Sources said, the last letter would request the former premier to give her statement saying that the ACC would not send further letter if she refuses this time and it would be considered that she is not willing to give her statement regarding the allegations.
ACC sources pointed out that law does not allow them to send documents and papers to Khaleda. The ACC has recently decided to give the former premier last chance through its final notice.
The allegations concern laundering of about Tk 7.5 crore of public money for purchasing land for Zia Charitable Trust and misappropriation of funds for construction of Bhairab Bridge, causing a loss of Tk 100 crore to the state when she was prime minister, sources mentioned.
The money laundering probe also involves Khaleda's sons Tarique Rahman, senior vice-chairman of BNP, and Arafat Rahman Koko as they are also trustees of the charitable trust.
Sources said this time the ACC will request Khaleda to reply to its notice by April 28.
The commission issued its first notice on February 14, the second one on March 3 and the third on March 25.
The inquiry against Khaleda requires mainly her statement to be completed, said the sources.
According to ACC code of work, once its inquiry finds sufficient information about an allegation, it goes for filing a case and conducting a fully-fledged investigation.