IO appointed for Barapukuria graft case

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday appointed an investigation officer to probe into the Barapukuria coal mine corruption case against former premier Khaleda Zia and 15 others.
ACC Director General (Admin) Col Hanif Iqbal disclosed it at a press conference at the commission headquarters in the capital.
“Deputy Director Monirul Haque has been appointed as the IO of the Barapukuria graft case,” Hanif said.
The ACC filed the case against Khaleda and 15 others including ten former ministers on February 16 for corruption in awarding Barapukuria coal mine operation contract to a Chinese company causing a loss of over Tk 158 crore to the public exchequer.
Replying to a question over release of Awami League (AL) General Secretary Abdul Jalil on parole, Hanif said it is under the jurisdiction of the government and the ACC has nothing to say on the issue.
The case proceedings against him would continue until Jalil's presence at the court is required, he added.
Meanwhile, Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division Lt Gen Masud Uddin Chowdhury, also chief coordinator of National Coordination Committee to combat corruption and serious crimes, yesterday called on ACC Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury at the latter's office.