Hasina declines to reply to investigators' queries

FE Team | Published: October 30, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

Detained former premier and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina refrained from helping the investigators with their inquiries into the graft charge involving a power-plant deal as she didn't get prior notice from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) about the quizzing, reports UNB.
However, in an implicit denial of the allegation she asked the investigating team to inquire country's senior economists about what she claimed a wave of development during her 1996-2001 reign.
"Development works and corruption cannot go hand in hand," Hasina was quoted as having quipped during the questioning at the makeshift jail on the parliament premises.
Emerging from the jail gate at about 2.0pm, Hasina's law counsel Tawfique Newaz told reporters that she was in the dark as to what kind of allegations was brought against her as she did not get any notice from the Commission.
"Until she is informed about the allegations brought against her, Hasina cannot give any answer in the questioning," he said about the former ruler's refusal to give reply to the queries of the investigators from the ACC, the army-led anti-corruption taskforce and CID police.
When the four-member investigating team informed her about the Tk 30-million graft case filed by the ACC against her and six others with Tejgaon police station on September 2, she categorically said nothing is to be answered depending on memory.
"I need at least two weeks to review the documents of the First Information Report (FIR) and also to consult my lawyers about the case if the ACC sends those," Hasina was quoted as saying.
However, The ACC claimed that the investigation team has completed necessary questioning of Hasina in connection with the barge-mounted power plant graft case.
"Investigation officer and the members of the taskforce have completed the questioning as much as needed. The job has been completed as it was supposed to be. The task has been completed as per the process of the law," ACC secretary Mokhles ur Rahman told reporters during the Commission's regular briefing when asked to
comment on Hasina's lawyer's remarks.
Sought comments on proposition that the detained former Prime Minister was not informed in proper way, he said if anyone is in jail he or she is informed through prison authorities. "And the taskforce has questioned in this way."
About a writ petition filed with the High Court Sunday challenging the legality of the extortion case being placed under the emergency rules, Tawfique Newaz said the hearing of the case was on and Hasina was waiting to get "positive news like order of stay and bail".
Responding to a query, the counsel said the investigating team could not confirm whether or not they would send any notice before such questioning.
On Tuesday, the Anti-Corruption Commission secured permission of the court to question the detained former Prime Minister over the charge.
It has been stated in the FIR that the former premier received the money from two companies-- the Summit Group and the United Group--during the period between October 24, 1996 and November 24, 1997.