'Graft-ridden' BRTA in ACC's radar, warns Iqbal Mahmood

Cautioning corrupt officials of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Iqbal Mahmood yesterday said they are sparing the "graft-ridden" state-run organisation for the time being on strategic grounds.

Iqbal was addressing a discussion on National Mourning Day organised at ACC's Segunbagicha headquarters, says a press release.

 “We're monitoring BRTA's activities and due to strategic reason we're not interfering right now,” the ACC chairman said, adding that if BRTA does anything unlawful, the commission will give emphasis on taking legal action against them on public interest.

“If BRTA were free of corruption, then how could worn out and headlight broken vehicles get fitness certificate?” he said.

Paying rich tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members, he said the National Mourning Day is also a day of shame. “Because, I'm a citizen of a country for which Bangabandhu made supreme sacrifice and some miscreants of the country killed him brutally,” said Iqbal.

Referring to the recent student movement demanding safe roads, he said, “The bright faces of children, teenagers and youths who pointed out our failure, give me hope. This generation truly nurtures the ideology of the Father of the Nation.”

Iqbal said during the movement, children stopped a vehicle that was carrying logo of ACC. “As soon as we got the information, we've taken legal action against the responsible persons. We didn't spare anyone and will not do so in future,” he said.

Among others, ACC Commissioner AFM Aminul Islam, Director General Muhammad Joynul Bari, Director Syed Iqbal Hossain and Deputy Director Golam Shahriar Chowdhury spoke at the event.