ACC case against Khaleda brought under EPR

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The case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and 12 others has been brought under the Emergency Power Rules (EPR) meaning that the accused would not get bail, reports UNB.
The ACC filed the case against Khaleda, her son Arafat and 11 others on September 2. The former Prime Minister was accused of illegally awarding contract to a private firm for handling of container cargo at Kamalapur container terminal and Chittagong Port by abusing power in 2003, gained financial benefits and thus caused a loss of Tk 10 billion (1,000 crore) to the national exchequer.
"We (ACC) have just approved…Upon an application of the investigation officer Jahirul Huda, the container handling case has been brought under the EPR. Bringing it under the EPR means it (case) is now a non-bailable entity," ACC secretary Mokhles ur Rahman told the Commission's regular briefing Monday afternoon.
Asked why the case has been brought under the EPR, he said the investigation officer felt it necessary considering the importance of the case.
Responding to a query, Mokhles said everybody involved in the case would be ineligible for bail as the case has been brought under the EPR.
Replying to another question, he said the ACC approval is required to add any section as complainant.
The ACC secretary also said the Commission would file a case against BNP joint secretary general Tarique Rahman very soon. "(Further) inquiry (into the wealth statement of Tarique) is at the final stage. Very soon, you'll get the results," he said replying to a question about engaging the same officer both in Tarique's statement and Khaleda's cases.
Asked if any case is going to be filed against Tarique, Mokhles said, "Very soon, very soon."
Mentioning the case filed against former Law Minister Moudud Ahmed, he said Moudud withdrew Tk 19 million (1.9 crore) by one cheque and had 19 fixed deposits with different names. But, it is he who used 19 different signatures for these FDRs.