Two siblings get life for corruption

A Pabna court yesterday awarded life term imprisonment to two siblings for corruption.
The convicts are Md Abdul Malek, office assistant cum accountant of Sirajganj district primary education office, and his brother Md Abdul Mozid, former teacher of Nadoi Government Primary School in Tarash upazila under Sirajganj district.
Special Judge Amulya Kumar Sarkar announced the verdict in crowded courtroom.
With a false appointment letter issued by Abdul Malek, Abdul Mozid joined as a primary teacher in Belkuchi upazila on February 11 in 1993, and later he was transferred to Nadoi Government Primary School, goes the prosecution.
Mozid misappropriated government money by remaining in service at the school illegally for eight years.
Following an official complaint, an investigation officer of the then Anti-Corruption Bureau (later made defunct after formation of the Anti-Corruption Commission -- ACC)) conducted an inquiry about the matter and found Malek and Mozid guilty.
Shafi Mohammed Abu Hassan, deputy assistant director of the bureau, filed a case against the two siblings with Tarash police station on November 11 in 2001 and after investigation the ACC submitted charge sheet against the accused, court sources said.
In addition to life term imprisonment, Malek and Mozid have been fined Tk 50 thousand each, in default to serve two years more in jail, said ACC counsel advocate Abdus Samad Khan Ratan, also special public prosecutor of the Pabna court.