ACC replies to Hasina's letter, says it has nothing to do
Wednesday, 1 August 2007
In response to former premier Sheikh Hasina's letter to the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) chairman, the ACC Tuesday said, it has nothing to do regarding the matter, and she will have to submit her wealth statement by August 8, reports UNB.
"Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina wrote a letter to the chairman seeking advice and cooperation in submitting her wealth statement. ACC in its meeting considered the issue with sympathy. It appeared to the Commission that it has nothing to do with it," ACC Secretary Mokhles ur Rahman told the reporters at his office Tuesday afternoon.
He said, the letter containing the ACC's decision was sent to detained Hasina through jail authorities at noon, and the Commission already received the service return.
In the letter to ACC Chairman Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury, the AL chief stated how she would submit the statement since she is in jail now, and Bangladesh Bank is not providing her account details and documents have been seized from her residence.
Meanwhile, ACC Commissioner Habibur Rahman said, former prime ministers Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia must submit their wealth statements within the stipulated time despite difficulties in having details of their bank accounts from the Bangladesh Bank.
Sheikh Hasina has to submit her wealth statement by August 8, while her arch-rival Khaleda Zia will have to come up with the accounts of her wealth by August 7.
"Yes, (they) will have to (submit their wealth statements)… There is no other way," ACC Commissioner Habibur told a group of reporters when a correspondent wanted to know whether the two former premiers would have to submit their statements within the stipulated time despite facing difficulties in obtaining details of their accounts.
Asked about Hasina's letter to the ACC chairman seeking advice and cooperation in submitting her wealth statement, he said, there is nothing the Commission could do about it as per law.
"Everybody is equal in the eyes of law," the ACC Commissioner said when asked whether they would extend cooperation to Hasina as a former prime minister.
Asked if the Commission could direct the Bangladesh Bank to provide Hasina with the required information, he said, they could not direct the central bank for giving information to any individual.
Habibur, however said, the Commission could ask the Bangladesh Bank for information during the investigation.
Asked if the ACC would file non-submission case against Hasina if she fails to submit her wealth statement by the deadline, he said, actions would be taken as per the law.
The ACC, on July 17, issued notices to the two former prime ministers -- Hasina and Khaleda Zia -- directing them to submit their wealth statements within seven working days. Khaleda's notice was sent to her cantonment residence while that of Hasina was sent to her sub-jail through the prison authorities.
"Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina wrote a letter to the chairman seeking advice and cooperation in submitting her wealth statement. ACC in its meeting considered the issue with sympathy. It appeared to the Commission that it has nothing to do with it," ACC Secretary Mokhles ur Rahman told the reporters at his office Tuesday afternoon.
He said, the letter containing the ACC's decision was sent to detained Hasina through jail authorities at noon, and the Commission already received the service return.
In the letter to ACC Chairman Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury, the AL chief stated how she would submit the statement since she is in jail now, and Bangladesh Bank is not providing her account details and documents have been seized from her residence.
Meanwhile, ACC Commissioner Habibur Rahman said, former prime ministers Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia must submit their wealth statements within the stipulated time despite difficulties in having details of their bank accounts from the Bangladesh Bank.
Sheikh Hasina has to submit her wealth statement by August 8, while her arch-rival Khaleda Zia will have to come up with the accounts of her wealth by August 7.
"Yes, (they) will have to (submit their wealth statements)… There is no other way," ACC Commissioner Habibur told a group of reporters when a correspondent wanted to know whether the two former premiers would have to submit their statements within the stipulated time despite facing difficulties in obtaining details of their accounts.
Asked about Hasina's letter to the ACC chairman seeking advice and cooperation in submitting her wealth statement, he said, there is nothing the Commission could do about it as per law.
"Everybody is equal in the eyes of law," the ACC Commissioner said when asked whether they would extend cooperation to Hasina as a former prime minister.
Asked if the Commission could direct the Bangladesh Bank to provide Hasina with the required information, he said, they could not direct the central bank for giving information to any individual.
Habibur, however said, the Commission could ask the Bangladesh Bank for information during the investigation.
Asked if the ACC would file non-submission case against Hasina if she fails to submit her wealth statement by the deadline, he said, actions would be taken as per the law.
The ACC, on July 17, issued notices to the two former prime ministers -- Hasina and Khaleda Zia -- directing them to submit their wealth statements within seven working days. Khaleda's notice was sent to her cantonment residence while that of Hasina was sent to her sub-jail through the prison authorities.