ACC sues Hasina over irregularities in Gomti Bridge toll contract

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 16 others, accusing them of causing a financial loss of Tk 3.09 billion to the government through irregularities in awarding the toll collection contract for the Meghna-Gomti Bridge.

According to the ACC investigation, in 2016, Computer Network Systems Ltd (CNS Ltd) was awarded the toll collection contract through a single-source tender after the previous one was canceled without consultation with other bidders.

Instead of a fixed payment, CNS Ltd was allowed to receive 17.75 percent of total toll collections as a service charge (excluding VAT and income tax). Through this system, the company received about Tk 4.89 billion over five years.

In comparison, between 2010 and 2015, two firms MBEL and ATT jointly collected tolls using a computerized system for only Tk 156 million. Another company, UDC Construction Ltd, was appointed for three years (2012–2015) at Tk 675.4 million, which would amount to about Tk 1.125 billion over five years.

CNS Ltd also claimed Tk 674.3 million for installing new technology and infrastructure. As a result, the government suffered a total financial loss of around Tk 3.09 billion, according to the ACC report.

Those accused in the case are: former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina; former Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu; former Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed; former LGRD Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain; former Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader; former Law Minister Anisul Huq; former State Minister for Finance and Planning M A Mannan; former Secretary of the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry M A N Siddique; former Additional Secretary Md Faruk Jalil; former Deputy Secretary Mohammad Shafiqul Karim; former Chief Engineers of the Roads and Highways Department Md Firoz Iqbal and Ibne Alam Hasan; former Additional Chief Engineers Md Aftab Hossain Khan and Md Abdus Salam; and three officials of CNS Ltd Managing Director Munir Uz Zaman Chowdhury, Director Selina Chowdhury, and Director Ikram Iqbal.

The ACC alleged that the decision to award the contract to CNS Ltd was made dishonestly and through abuse of power, involving several government officials and cabinet members.

The accused have been charged under Sections 409, 420, and 109 of the Penal Code, and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.

The ACC stated that all the accused acted in collusion, misused official authority, and intentionally benefited themselves or others by committing fraud and embezzling government funds.

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