Khaleda's arrest has proved impartiality of govt: Mainul
Tuesday, 4 September 2007
Law, Justice and Information Adviser Mainul Hosein said Monday the arrest of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has proved the impartiality of the caretaker government, reports UNB.
"The government is completely neutral about removing corruption," he told reporters at the Information Ministry conference room, hours after the arrest of Khaleda and her youngest son Arafat Rahman Koko.
He, however, said the government would ensure whether the allegations were made properly and ensure proper justice to them.
"It's clear to all that they were arrested and produced before the court on charge of specific allegations," he said, adding that they have been accused of misusing powers in awarding a Tk 800 million contract for Kamalapur and Chittagong Inland Container Depots (ICDs).
"It's a breach of trust by an elected Prime Minister," said the Information Adviser.
He said rule of law as well as the life and property of the people would not be safe without ensuring honesty and accountability of the politicians through legal process.
He also explained that taking time to file cases against Khaleda and Hasina has well explained the government's open mind of going forward with anti-corruption drive, despite there were some criticism about delaying the arrest of Khaleda.
"This is not to make a balance… ACC filed the cases on the basis of evidence," he said.
Mainul said the two former Prime Ministers have been
produced before the court giving due honour and upholding their prestige.
"It may be unpleasant, but it (the arrests) has been done in the interest of the country. The tyranny of crime increases in a country if the rulers cannot be kept away from corruption," he said, adding that they committed crime against the country and the people.
"The people in power must have accountability to the law," he said, adding that the government is not only to fight corruption but also for establishing rule of law.
bdnews24.com adds: Mainul said Khaleda had not been arrested for the sake of striking a political balance.
"...The government has no enmity with anyone," Mainul said at a crowded press briefing.
Asked why no actions were being taken against BNP 'reformists' Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, Mainul replied: "The charges are not being brought against leaders on the basis of who belongs to which party."
"The government also cannot investigate corruption charges against every suspect. We cannot rightly say who will be indicted or not," he said.
"However, it is important to see if those that have been accused are receiving justice or not," he added.
The adviser said indoor politics on a limited scale was now taking place spontaneously in the country. After the recent unrest at Dhaka University, he said, the government was now more confident about dealing with the issue.
"The government is completely neutral about removing corruption," he told reporters at the Information Ministry conference room, hours after the arrest of Khaleda and her youngest son Arafat Rahman Koko.
He, however, said the government would ensure whether the allegations were made properly and ensure proper justice to them.
"It's clear to all that they were arrested and produced before the court on charge of specific allegations," he said, adding that they have been accused of misusing powers in awarding a Tk 800 million contract for Kamalapur and Chittagong Inland Container Depots (ICDs).
"It's a breach of trust by an elected Prime Minister," said the Information Adviser.
He said rule of law as well as the life and property of the people would not be safe without ensuring honesty and accountability of the politicians through legal process.
He also explained that taking time to file cases against Khaleda and Hasina has well explained the government's open mind of going forward with anti-corruption drive, despite there were some criticism about delaying the arrest of Khaleda.
"This is not to make a balance… ACC filed the cases on the basis of evidence," he said.
Mainul said the two former Prime Ministers have been
produced before the court giving due honour and upholding their prestige.
"It may be unpleasant, but it (the arrests) has been done in the interest of the country. The tyranny of crime increases in a country if the rulers cannot be kept away from corruption," he said, adding that they committed crime against the country and the people.
"The people in power must have accountability to the law," he said, adding that the government is not only to fight corruption but also for establishing rule of law.
bdnews24.com adds: Mainul said Khaleda had not been arrested for the sake of striking a political balance.
"...The government has no enmity with anyone," Mainul said at a crowded press briefing.
Asked why no actions were being taken against BNP 'reformists' Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, Mainul replied: "The charges are not being brought against leaders on the basis of who belongs to which party."
"The government also cannot investigate corruption charges against every suspect. We cannot rightly say who will be indicted or not," he said.
"However, it is important to see if those that have been accused are receiving justice or not," he added.
The adviser said indoor politics on a limited scale was now taking place spontaneously in the country. After the recent unrest at Dhaka University, he said, the government was now more confident about dealing with the issue.