Govt hindering crest fraud probe, says a panel

The parliamentary sub-committee investigating use of less than specified quantity of gold in the crests awarded to foreign friends for their contribution to the Liberation War has accused the government of creating complications. The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs last week sued two companies for the alleged crest fraud. The probe body told the parliamentary standing committee on the liberation war ministry on Tuesday that this would create complications in the probe. The standing committee formed three strong sub-committees on April 24. Probe team member Whip Iqbalur Rahim said the ministry had made the fraud allegations a sub-judice matter meaning it is under judgment. 'Now that it's a sub-judice matter, if we summon those companies they might refuse to testify before us,' he said. 'But we need them to give statements,' he added. 'The ministry did not notify us before filing the case,' he said. The sub-committee is headed by Afsarul Amin. The other member is Gazi Golam Dastagir. The liberation war ministry has done its own investigation. Media reports said the ministry's investigation had found involvement of former state minister AB Tajul Islam, 13 ministry officials including former secretary Mizanur Rahman and current Secretary KH Masud Siddique and the suppliers. After the ministry's investigation concluded on June 10, Senior Assistant Secretary Enayetullah Khan filed the case against Banani-based Emicon's owner Mir Daud Ahmed aka Nazim and Md Mohsinul Hasan of M/S Mohsinul Hasan located in Shantinagar for cheating and embezzlement. On the other hand, in reply to a legal notice from advocate Munzil Murshid, the ministry has said the fraud allegations are under investigation by the parliamentary sub-committee and actions would be taken after their probe is completed, according to UNB.