Minister seeks Mashhud's explanation

State Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Qamrul Islam yesterday said Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury has misused his authority at the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) over the last two years by filing false and fabricated cases against political leaders in order to harass them.
The minister sought a clarification from him (Hasan Mashhud) regarding the money spent over cases filed by the ACC.
Qamrul Islam was talking to journalists during a press briefing at the conference room of the law ministry yesterday afternoon.
The state minister for law welcomed the resignation of Hasan Mashhud from the post of chairman of the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC). He said that Hasan Mashud spent some Tk 13 crore from public funds to run false cases and now must give an explanation about the sum spent.
Qamrul also said that the ACC should immediately reorganise itself by appointing an honest man as its chief.
He also said that all the politicians who were accused in cases filed by the ACC during last two years are now free, and that proves that the cases against them were false and baseless.
The state minister further said that there was no base or merit of the cases filed against Awami League president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
After relevant probes, the police have submitted final reports in some cases against Sheikh Hasina exonerating her from the charges. Even the complainants, in some instances, have moved to withdraw the charges, Qamrul said.
When asked if the government will take any action against those responsible for filing 'false' case against political leaders, Qamrul said an inquiry should be carried out and then further steps be taken in this regard.
He, however, denied any non-cooperation from the government to the ACC, saying that this government has never interfered in the function of the ACC.
Replying to another query, the state minister said if cases against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia are proved to be false in the courts, she will also be acquitted of the charges.
Meanwhile, the state minister informed reporters that a delegation of Bangladesh Judicial Service Association (BJSA) has placed some demands, including removal of the law secretary Habibul Awal from his post, during a meeting with Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shafique Ahmed at his office earlier in the day.
The BJSA leaders have requested to meet the prime minister to place their demands to her and we have assured them of such a meeting, he said.