Tuesday, March 16, 2010

THE LOCAL AGENT OF JEIB JMB HUJI TeL


FORMER STATE MINISTER OF HOME MR. LUTFUZZAMAN BABAR & TAREQ RAHMAN ALSO ACTIVE AGENT OF JMB HUJI & LeT IN BANGLADESH.

At the age of 42 Tareq made his first significant step in politics in 2002, when ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party was announced that he had been promoted to a senior position. Mr Rahman rapidly acquired a reputation for being a “hatchet man” for enforcing party discipline. Mr. Rahman appears to prefer working behind the scenes. His private office “Hawa Bhavan” was widely viewed by political opponent Awami League as the driver of the country’s mismanagement and corruption during 2001 to 2006 while his mother Khaleda Zia was the Prime Minister. He rarely speaks to the press, and is renowned for his reticence in the few media interviews he has given.


Former premier and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia went berserk and yelled at the top of her lungs asking whether her son was such a thief that he would have to flee the country, said former state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar during questioning by the Task Force for Interrogation (TFI).
Babar was recalling his experience in planning Tarique Rahman's supposed departure from the country to avoid the incarceration he is currently in. "Before Tarique Rahman was arrested, we used to get information from different sources that he might get caught. So I, Mannan Bhuiyan, Falu and Qamrul held a secret meeting in Mannan's residence and decided that Tarique would be sent abroad for two or three years," Babar told the TFI.He said they planned that Tarique would be brought back home with a hero's welcome if BNP would come back to power again. "As everything got finalised Falu narrated the matter to Khaleda Zia using my name before he took her to Hawa Bhaban in the same evening. Listening to the plan, madam went ballistic and began shouting at the top of her lungs in her residence," Babar said."Arriving at Hawa Bhaban, she started yelling again asking where are the conspirators Mannan Bhuiyan and Babar? Is my son such a big thief that he will have to flee the country?" Babar quoted Khaleda as yelling.

Babar also told the interrogators that about a year or so ago Khaleda Zia called him in and told him that she had Tk 20 crore in different places which she wanted to keep with one Kamal. She also told him that the money would later be used during elections. Sources claimed that Babar told the investigators that Khaleda wanted to know from him whether he knew any trustworthy people with whom the money could be kept safely for a year, and in reply Babar told her that finding such people would be a very tough task for him.Babar also told the interrogators that when Khaleda raised the issue again on the next day when he went to meet her, he asked his brother to keep the money. His brother then got angry with him telling him not to get involved in such matters warning him that those kinds of activities would come back to haunt him one day. Babar said a day later he asked his brother whether he could help him as his 'madam' had given him the task trusting him.According to the sources, Babar told the interrogators that some days before he asked Khaleda for an approval to open up a bank and then he sat with some people to work out a plan. However, they told Babar that banks require a big amount of investment and the money would be collected in the name of BNP, a portion of which would be given to Babar as his share. Babar also said he whitened a large amount of money through his brother in the name of a company after his meeting with the aspiring bank owners. The former home ministry boss also said later he brought the matter to Khaleda's attention who introduced him to a man who later turned out to be the person who had arranged to hundi Tk 20 crore, a portion of which Babar used to invest in the banking business he was trying to embark on.Babar said suddenly he came to know that the Tk 20 crore was part of the money that had been taken from Warid Telecom as a bribe.
Tareq Rahman: fucking son of khaleda zia Tk 20cr Bashundhara bribe recovered from Babar
The former Home boss received the money in exchange for absolving Sobhan's son from murder charge, money deposited with BB; conglomerate paid Tk 25 lakh to AL leaders a month
The joint forces have recovered Tk 20 crore, which arrested former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar received from Bashundhara Group in exchange for not implicating the conglomerate's boss' son in a murder case. The forces deposited the money with Bangladesh Bank yesterday, sources said. In July last year, Humayun Kabir Sabbir, a director of Bashundhara Group owned by Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, was murdered and his body was found lying outside an apartment building in Gulshan. Sobhan's son Shafiat Sobhan was the main suspect in the killing. Sobhan came to a negotiation with Babar that he would pay him Tk 20 crore in exchange for not implicating his son in the murder case, the joint forces came to know from another Bashundhara director recently. The director told the forces that he used to reach the money in small sums to Babar at his residence, sources said.
But when the director brought Tk 1 crore to Babar one day, the former state minister felt it unsafe to receive money in that manner and asked him to take the money to Qazi Saleemul Huq, owner of GQ Ball Pen Industries and a director of Prime Bank. Saleemul deposited the money with the bank. Babar asked him to return the money at a later time, the Bashundhara director told the forces.Getting cue from the Bashundhara director, when the joint forces inquired with the Prime Bank about the money, Saleemul admitted to safekeeping the money for Babar. He also handed the money to the joint forces in a draft, which was then deposited with the central bank yesterday.After receiving the bribe, Babar had allegedly instructed the police not to proceed with the case and the Bashundhara director's murder still remains unsolved. Babar also allegedly let Sobhan's son Shafiat fly out of the country.The joint forces also deposited another Tk 7 crore with Bangladesh Bank recovered from a Chittagong businessman. The details of the businessman could not be known.Meantime, more revealing information about how Bashundhara Group expanded its business on an amazingly fast track in the last five years with the blessing of BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman was extracted from arrested Awami League (AL) leaders.

AL Gulshan unit Secretary Wakil Uddin told the forces that the group used to pay Tk 25 lakh to the party on a monthly basis through Sayem Sobhan Anvir, another son of Akbar Sobhan. The money would then be distributed among the AL top leaders including Sheikh Hasina, MA Jalil, Sheikh Selim, Abdur Razzak and Tofail Ahmed.AL leaders including the party's City Secretary Mofazzel Hossain Chowdhury Maya had received more than 10 plots from Bashundhara, Wakil told the joint forces.Wakil repeated the allegations when he was brought face-to-face with Jalil and Selim yesterday. He said the money was often delivered in his presence. Jalil, however, denied the allegation.Bashundhara Group had also cheated its buyers of land by cancelling their allotment whenever land prices had shot up. The buyers were then given fresh allotment in cheaply priced locations.Bashundhara Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan is on the Anti-Corruption Commission list of graft suspects. He escaped to London soon after the anti-graft drive began and has been hiding abroad since then.

Tareq Rahman’s arrest

Under the present care taker government on March 7, 2007, Tareq Rahman was arrested by law enforcing Joint Forces. He is charged with extortion and other corruptions. He initially denied the charges. But later the situation turned dramatically when other arrested BNP political leaders started to disclose information on Tareq Rahman’s corruption. Especially the arrest of former state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar on May 29, 2007 brought a huge downfall of Tareq’s public image. Mr. Babar provided evidence of Tareq Rahman’s corruption. But trail has not started for these charges yet. Khaleda Zia claimed in the court that her sons had not committed any crime as they did not need money.
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The UN anti corruption agency declared Bangladesh “the most corrupt country in the world” 5 years in a row. In 2006 the prize passed into other hands, leaving Bangladesh in “only” third place. “Corruption is widespread, from the postman to ministers, from teachers to judges” experts note. “People constantly discuss it, politicians make promises, but no one actually believes its levels can even be reduced”.
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If Ershad is barred from running in next election due to corruption charges, then what about Khaleda Zia and her family members. She must explain to people how her family became one of the richest families in the world from the day of broken suitcase and ragged T-Shirt. Her son Tareque Zia is well known as Mr.10%.

By special blessing of Khaleda Zia , from the street Falu Mia earned more than Tk1,000 Cr. Late Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan (secretary general of bnp became the owner of private TV Channel.

Vicious circle of syndicate under direct patronization of Tareque Zia plundered thousands of crores Takas from the pocket of common people by hiking the prices of all commodities. In terms of corruption, Ershad was infant compared to Khaleda Zia's family all MPs and Ministers of immediate past BNP-Jamaat govt.Most of the people in Bangladesh did not support the massive corruption done by BNP-Jamaat alliance, so people won't vote for them again. People will vote for a new govt. to punish Khaleda Zia, Tareque Zia and all other MPs and Ministers of immediate past BNP-Jamaat govt.All their properties will be seized by the newly elected govt. to form a National Trust.

So, In Coming Election the Main Agenda is to defeat toxic BNP-Jamaat alliance in order to put Khaleda Zia, Tareque Zia and all other thug MPs and Ministers of erstwhile BNP-Jamaat govt. in jail for record breaking misrule and massive corruption.

ZIAUR RAHMAN REHABILITATE THE RAZAKARS AND BANGABANDHU MURDERERS
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Ziaur Rahman, a Major in the Pakistan Army, Zia's unit (2/5 East Bengal Regiment) took control of the Kalurghat radio station in Chittagong at the onset of the Bangladesh Liberation War and on behalf of Bengali nationalist leader (Father of the Nation)Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.made the most widely transmitted declaration of independence of Bangladesh which was the third and last in a series of such declarations. Recognized as a war hero, he was honored with the second highest national award Bir Uttom in 1972. A high-ranking accomplished officer in the Bangladesh Army, Zia was appointed chief of army staff in course of dramatic events that evolved following the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975 by a group of junior military officers and these army personnel met Ziaur Rahman at his residence to killed Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
This was followed shortly by another coup and counter-coup and ultimately led to the consolidation of power under Zia as Deputy Chief Martial Law Administrator. The counter-coup, sometimes referred to as a sepoy mutiny was organized by the socialist Colonel Abu Taher.
Ziaur Rahaman assumed the office of the President of the country in 1977 He engaged himself in politics by floating a political party that came to be known as janodal. Later he founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. For achieving popular support, he adopted policies bringing the government increasingly under Islam, which he included in the national constitution. It has been alleged that Zia helped individuals involved in the assassination of Sheikh Mujib rehabilitate home and abroad, immunized by the Indemnity Act. He also came to be known as Mr. Clean for his unquestionable integrity. Coup of 1975 and its aftermath On August 15, 1975 Sheikh Mujib and his family were killed by a group of military officers. One Sheikh Mujib's cabinet ministers Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad was appointed the president and, subsequently, Major General Ziaur Rahman was appointed as the army chief after removal of Major General Shafiullah. However, the coup of 15 August caused a period of instability and unrest in Bangladesh and more so across the ranks and files of the army. Brigadier Khaled Mosharraf and the Dhaka Brigade under Colonel Shafat Jamil made a counter-coup on November 3, 1975, and Ziaur Rahman was forced to resign and was put under house arrest. A third coup was staged under Colonel Abu Taher and a group of socialist military officers and supporters of the left-wing Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal on November 7, called the "National Revolution and Solidarity Day" (Sipoy-Janata Biplob) (Soldiers and People's Coup) Brigadier Khaled Mosharraf was killed and Colonel Jamil arrested, while Colonel Taher freed Ziaur Rahman ( After few months Ziaur Rahman arrested and execute Colonel Taher )and re-appointed him as army chief. Following a major meeting at the army headquarters, an interim government was formed with Justice Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem as chief martial law administrator and Zia, Air Vice Marshal M. G. Tawab and R ear Admiral M. H. Khan as his deputies. Zia also took on the portfolios of home affairs, finance, industry and information along with becoming the army chief of staff. However, discipline in the army had totally collapsed and it was difficult to disarm the soldiers and put them back to the barracks. Fearing that Colonel Abu Taher, who in fact rescued him few months earlier, would attempt to organise another revolt, Zia ordered his arrest. Following a secret trial in a military court, Zia authorised the execution of Colonel Taher on July 21, 1976. Zia became the chief martial law administrator following Justice Sayem's elevation to the presidency on November 19, 1976. He tried to integrate the armed forces, giving repatriates a status appropriate to their qualifications and seniority. While this angered some veterans of the Mukti Bahini, who had rapidly reached high positions following liberation in 1971, Zia defused potential threats from discontented officers by sending them on diplomatic missions abroad.
Ziaur Rahman Rehabilitate the war criminals and former Prime Minister Shah Azizur Rahman was one of them (Bengali: শাহ আজিজুর রহমান) (1925 - 1988) was a Bangladeshi politician who served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. However, he was the subject of considerable controversy for his collaboration with the Pakistan Army against the struggle to establish Bangladesh. Shah Azizur Rahman was born in Kushtia of the province of Bengal (now in Bangladesh). As a student political leader, Rahman participated in the Bengal Provincial Muslim League and the Pakistan movement. At the outbreak of the Bangladesh Liberation War, Rahman supported the Pakistani state forces and denounced the Bengali nationalist struggle, joining Bengali politicians such as Nurul Amin, Golam Azam and Motiur Rahman Nizami. He would lead the Pakistani delegation to the United Nations in November 1971, where he would emphatically deny that the Pakistan Army's Operation Searchlight had degenerated into genocide. Following the defeat of Pakistan in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Rahman continued to reside in Pakistan. In the post-war period, authorities estimated that over a million people had been killed in Bangladesh by Pakistani state forces and collaborating militias. Rahman would continue to lobby Muslim nations in the Middle East to decline diplomatic recognition to Bangladesh.
Return to Bangladesh
Shah Azizur Rahman was permitted to return Bangladesh after liberation war. Bangabandhu Shaikh Mujibur Rahman was a good friend of him and released Shah Aziz from jail. There are saying that while Azis was in prison Bangabandhu provide his family 3,000 taka each month. When Major General Ziaur Rahman became the President of Bangladesh, zia allow Aziz to take part in national election and appointed him to the post of prime minister. Rahman also helped Zia organise the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which won the 1978 parliamentary elections. Both Zia and Azizur Rahman have received fierce criticism for issuing the Indemnity Act, which gave amnesty to the killers of Sheikh Mujib and legalised the military coups of 1975.

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Millionaire BNP Ministers Summary

Millionaire BNP Ministers Summary: Corruption is the number one problem for Bangladesh.M
Millionaire BNP Ministers Summary: Corruption is the number one problem for Bangladesh. Transparency International in its annual report placed Bangladesh

Millionaire BNP Ministers
Summary: Corruption is the number one problem for Bangladesh. Transparency International in its annual report placed Bangladesh at the top of the list of most corrupt nations in the world. Certainly, it makes the politicians in Bangladesh, especially those in power, extremely uncomfortable and worried. It is apprehended that in the coming report of Transparency International, Bangladesh is going to be placed once again at the top. Although the ruling alliance in the country are making frantic bids in cleansing the image of Bangladesh, it is well understood that, international community are yet to be convinced to the fact that, Begum Khaleda Zia’s government is doing something in eliminating corruption from different section in the country. Only recently, an intelligence agency in the country identified 11 mid ranking officials with National Board of Revenue, who own 15 luxurious villas in countries port city of Chittagong, which costs US$ 2.5 million. It is important to mention here that, monthly salary of these officials is less than US$ 400 per month! Police and Customs (revenue) are the most corrupt departments in Bangladesh. Almost all the officers, on their retirement, emerge as multi-millionaire. They acquire wealth and properties in their own name of in the names of their spouses. It is almost an open secret in the country. Government also knows these facts, but is unable to take any action.
In recent days, names of some of the members of the BNP’s cabinet in Bangladesh come as the worst corrupts. They minted money like wild gambling. Sixty members of parliament rose complaint against a particular minister, while the Prime Minister Khaleda Zia did not take any action against him. It is also learnt that, many of the family members of Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia are becoming fabulously rich, by using state power. The most talked about corrupt figure in Bangladesh is Tareq Rahman, eldest son of the Prime Minister. TAREQ BECAME BILLIONAIRE JUST IN FEW YEARS, WHILE MANY OF HIS FRIENDS, WHO WERE PARTNERS IN HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVITIES OR IN THE ADDICTION OF PHENSIDYL ALSO BECAME VERY RICH UNDER THE DIRECT PATRONIZATION OF THE SON OF PM BEGUM KHALEDA ZIA.
Tareq has established Hawa Bhaban, which is although considered as one of the offices of the ruling party. There are solid evidences of this office’s involvement in interfering in almost all the business and contracts in the country. Hawa Bhaban palls are considered as the most influential figures in Bangladesh. One of the Hawa Bhaban palls is Giasuddin Mamun, who is tareq’s closest friend too. Hailing from an extreme poor family in the southern part of Bangladesh, Mamun is today one of the richest men in Bangladesh through various corruption, smuggling and many other forms of illegal activities.
Surprisingly one of the assistant press secretaries of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Touhidul Islam alias Ashik Islam is simultaneously working in the PMO as well in Hawa Bhaban as its spokesman. Moreover, this man is also involved with Tareq’s private television channel, Channel One. There are numerous allegations on Ashik’s involvement in a number of financial irregularities as well of misappropriating state money with various excuses, government did not take any action against this man, as he is considered to be one of the closest aides of Tareq Rahman. In the PMO too, Ashik is known as an womanizer, alcoholic, bribe taker and blackmailer. Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was notified several times about this man’s illegal activities by country’s intelligence agencies. But, she could not take any action against Ashik, as Tareq always stood behind him with fullest support.
Khaleda’a own brother, Sayeed Iskander, who is a sacked major of Bangladesh army, also turned into multi-millionaire by using the influence of his sister.
Positions

why these criminals should not to be arrested?
the criminals should be punished
the corruption not to be repeated in bangladesh

US, UK seek help to recover kickbacks : Tareq Koko and Mamun and babar nama
by Mokthel Hossain Mukthi on Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 12:37pm
US, UK seek help to recover kickbacks
$200m stashed in overseas banks by Koko, ministers of 4-party government
Staff Correspondent
The US and UK yesterday sought Bangladesh's assistance in their bid to recover around $200 million allegedly paid in kickbacks to former prime minister Khaleda Zia's son Arafat Rahman Koko and some ministers of the last BNP-led government.
A delegation comprising the United States justice department's deputy chief Linda M Samuel, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent Deborah Heprevotte and UK Institute of Management consultant Ferdous Ahmed made the request for help at a meeting with Law Minister Shafique Ahmed at his secretariat office.
They handed him a list of the persons suspected of receiving the sums during the immediate past four-party alliance rule.
Shafique last night told The Daily Star, “We have assured the delegation of help in getting back the money."
Earlier, after meeting the US and UK officials, he told reporters that the former prime minister's [Khaleda Zia] son Arafat Rahman Koko and a dozen ministers and leaders of four-party are alleged to have received $200 million in bribe for awarding work to foreign companies.
The money is currently deposited in banks across 20 countries including Singapore, United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates, he added.
He said law and finance ministries, Attorney General's Office and Bangladesh Bank will have to work together to assist in retrieval of the alleged bribery proceeds.
Attorney General Salah Uddin Ahmad and ACC counsel Anisul Huq were present at the meeting.
The delegation has been in the city for over a week. They have had several meetings with local officials concerned.
Contacted, a spokesman of the US embassy in Dhaka said their justice department officials are here to follow up the money recovery case and also widen the scope of US-Bangladesh judicial cooperation.
The US government on Thursday filed a forfeiture action against accounts holding the alleged bribes paid to Koko and others.
On December 18 last year, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) disclosed that Koko has around Tk 11.43 crore stashed in a Singapore bank
Koko's parole cancelled
Asked to return home by Aug 31
Unb, Dhaka
Arafat Rahman Koko who had been on parole for treatment in Bangkok was asked to return home by August 31 and surrender before the court, official sources said yesterday.
Koko, the youngest son of BNP Chairperson and ex-premier Khaleda Zia, is facing a number of corruption cases. He was arrested during the previous caretaker government.
Later, he got parole and left for Bangkok on July 19, 2008 for better treatment as he had been suffering from respiratory problems.
His lawyer barrister Mahbubu Uddin Khokon MP told UNB yesterday night that they received a letter from the Home Ministry at about 7:00pm asking Koko to return by August 31 and surrender before court.
Responding to the Home Ministry's letter Khokon said his client Koko's physical condition is so bad that interruption to his treatment only lead to his death.
He said hospitals in Bangkok where Koko has been receiving treatment have been sending reports to the Bangladesh government every month stating his health condition. Last week, Bangladesh mission officials at Bangkok visited Koko to enquire about his health condition.
“His health condition is very bad. If necessary the government can form an inquiry team to assess his health,” Khokon said.
In reply to a question, he said a formal request will be made to the government soon to cancel the government's decision for bringing him back.
Khaleda's Press Secretary Maruf Kamal Khan told the agency an ailing person has constitutional right to live. He said the present Prime Minister who was also on parole for her treatment cannot cancel Koko's parole.
“There shouldn't be double standards of law. This is politically motivated,” Maruf said
Front Page

what of the character of the mother, Khaleda Zia, who looked the other way while her sons were robbing the country blind, what about her responsibility to the electorate that made her prime minister? And why should we give Tariq Rahman special treatment because his mother brought him up as a spoilt brat? If the army’s hierarchy has any false sense of loyalty they should collectively take a walk every morning among the poor, hungry, shelterless of Bangladesh and look at the sheer helplessness in their desolate eyes. If they do not discover to whom their loyalty must be given, they are either blind or not true to the oath of allegiance they took. If the military hierarchy makes a political deal with the corrupt, whoever they may be, there is no hope for Bangladesh.

If someone robs a house you put him in jail for a few years, white-collar criminals who take advantage of their office and/or connections must go to jail many more years.Bangladesh is at a peculiar crossroads in its nationhood, whether to carry out effective accountability before returning to full democracy or let public pressure hasten the renewal of political activity and allow the corrupt to further corrupt an already corrupted system. It would mean disaster; it will affect the survival of tens of millions. Given the temptations inherent and the exhortations of the motivated, the army’s hierarchy has done well in staying within the constitution and instead of acquiring direct power supporting civilian authority.

The Bangladesh Army chief, Lieutenant-General Moeen Ahmad, has stayed true to his word in not getting carried away by the opportunity to ride into town publicly as the country’s saviour. He must remain careful in not saying or writing anything that may give any inclination of political ambition in the future. Vested interest will not spare any opportunity to misconstrue good intention and undercut the credibility of the army’s intention and role behind the scenes because that will erode its effectiveness. It is of the utmost importance that the army’s reputation (and his) is not tainted by hint of personal ambition, except solely and wholly the well-being and future prosperity of Bangladesh.

Tariq Rahman’s case makes for a crossroads for accountability; if Ziaur Rahman’s sons are shown any leniency then the whole process of accountability will be compromised. The military hierarchy will then have no business holding anyone in Bangladesh accountable. Tariq Rahman and Arafat Rahman are acid tests for the Bangladesh Army. Fail to make them accountable and you have failed your uniform and your country. …..

More Confession
Babar cut $10m Warid deal for Koko
Staff Correspondent

Former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar spilled more beans as he told investigators yesterday that he had negotiated a $10 million fast-track frequency allocation deal for Warid Telecom and the booty was shared by Arafat Rahman Koko and former BNP MP Ali Asgar Lobi.

Of the amount, $9 million was given to former prime minister Khaleda Zia's younger son Koko and $1 million to detained BNP leader Lobi who had close links with detained BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman and his Hawa Bhaban.

Babar also revealed during interrogation that Koko and former finance minister Saifur Rahman's son Tony took commission from a Chinese company in the name of giving it a contract for supplying telecommunications equipment. He, however, denied his involvement in the deal.

On the controversial purchase of 1,970 vehicles involving Tk 121 crore from the government coffer and a huge counterpart fund from a donor agency, he told the investigators that he did not go through the documents before signing the deal.

"It was my mistake. I even did not go through the file before signing it," Babar was quoted to have said during interrogation.

The former state minister claimed that he had no option but to approve the controversial vehicle purchase for various law enforcement departments "under pressure from the high-ups". Pacific Motors owned by former foreign minister M Morshed Khan was the prime beneficiary of the purchase proposal.

Babar, who is now on a four-day police remand, said BNP's Senior Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman was the main backer of Pacific Motors.

The government decided to procure the 1,970 cars ahead of the Saarc summit in the capital in 2005.

The police headquarters floated a tender in which 16 importers participated. But at the last moment, the authorities changed the conditions of bidding through a circular in such a way that allowed only two importers to participate. That prompted the other bidders to lodge complaints with the government alleging corruption in the bidding process, but that did not work.

Sources said the former state minister also confessed that an official of the Bangladesh High Commission in Singapore used to look after his business there.

Sources said the former state minister gave the investigators information, which they later found to be false. Babar gave the false information to save himself, the sources added.

Babar also confessed to owning a lot of plots and flats in the names of his relatives.

Meanwhile, Tk 20 crore, which Babar took as bribe from Bashundhara Group, was deposited in the central bank's government exchequer on Wednesday in nine cheques and pay orders.

A Bashundhara Group director told the joint forces that Babar took the money in exchange for not implicating Bashundhara Group owner Ahmed Akbar Sobhan's son Shafiat Sobhan in the killing of another director of the conglomerate Humayun Kabir Sabbir.

The former state minister asked the Bashundhara men to deliver the money to Prime Bank Director Qazi Saleemul Huq who was supposed to return the money to Babar at a later time, sources said.

After receiving the bribe, Babar allegedly instructed the police not to proceed with the case and the Bashundhara director's murder still remains unsolved. He also allegedly let Sobhan's son Shafiat fly out of the country.

Bashundhara Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan is on the Anti-Corruption Commission list of graft suspects. He escaped to London soon after the anti-graft drive began and has been hiding abroad since then.
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