ACC finds evidence of irregularities

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has said that it has found preliminary evidence supporting allegations of embezzlement of millions of taka through false fuel expense claims in the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).

A two-member ACC team led by Assistant Director Ikram Hossain conducted a nearly four-hour raid on Nagar Bhaban, the headquarters of DSCC, on Sunday afternoon following a complaint on fuel expense. An ACC official said that documents were seized and drivers were questioned during the operation. He said that the seized documents and the driver's interviews revealed preliminary evidence of irregularities in fuel billing. The corruption involved individuals ranging from drivers to high-ranking officials, he added.

The official further said that the ACC raided Nagar Bhaban following a report titled 'Nagar Bhaban closed for 40 days, yet fuel expenses in crores' published in a Bengali Daily on September 4. They will submit a detailed report to the commission which will  take necessary action in due course, he said.

When asked about the ACC's operation, a senior official of DSCC said that the ACC conducted a raid and took away a large number of documents.

Official activities at Nagar Bhaban were suspended for 40 days during demonstration by BNP leader Ishraque Hossain's supporters demanding that Ishraque be handed over responsibilities of mayor. During this period, many officials of DSCC did not attend office even for a single day. Yet, fuel expenses of 14-15 liters per day were shown against the vehicles allocated to them. Even within the DSCC, many have raised questions: if the office was closed, where did all that fuel go?

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com