ACC orders arrest of 4 accused Bangladeshis

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has ordered its investigating team to arrest four Bangladeshis who have been sued along with three Canadian nationals for their alleged roles in a graft conspiracy in the Padma bridge project.
ACC Commissioner Mohammad Shahabuddin yesterday announced the arrest order to journalists at the commission's office in the capital.
The commissioner said they have already sent copies of the case statement to the World Bank Headquarters yesterday for their perusal.
“The investigation team has been directed to take necessary steps so that no accused can leave the country,” he added.
However, a source in ACC told The Daily Star that the commission will soon hold a meeting to take a decision regarding arrest of Mosharraf Hossain, an accused in the case and former secretary of the Bridges Division.
The source said another accused, Mohammad Mostofa, is currently residing in the US.
Mostofa is the deputy managing director of Engineering and Planning Consultant, a local agent of Canadian firm SNC Lavalin.
The other two accused -- Kazi Mohammad Ferdous, superintendent engineer of Bangladesh Bridge Authority, and Reaz Ahmed Zaber, executive engineer of Roads and Highway Department, -- are on the run.
The three Canadian nationals accused in the case are SNC Lavalin officials Mohammad Ismail, Ramesh Shah and Kevin Wales.
Regarding steps against the three Canadians accused, an ACC high officials said the commission will take steps through the foreign ministry.
The WB cancelled its US$ 1.2 billion funding on June 29 this year, saying it had proof of a "corruption conspiracy" involving Bangladeshi officials, executives of a Canadian firm and some other individuals.
The global lender on September 21 decided to revive the loan after the Bangladesh government agreed to its terms and conditions.