The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, six former cabinet ministers, and 10 others over alleged irregularities in toll collection from the Meghna-Gomoti Bridge.
ACC Deputy Director Md Aktarul Islam said the case was approved today, citing misuse of power and irregularities in signing agreements that caused government losses exceeding Taka 300 crore.
Other accused include former ministers Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Khandkar Mosharaf Hossain, Obaidul Quader, Anisul Haque, M A Mannan, former officials MAN Siddiq, Md Faruk Jalil, Md Shafiqul Karim, engineers Md Firoz Iqbal, Ibn Alam Hassan, Md Aftab Hossain Khan, Md Abdus Salam, and CNS Limited’s managing director Munir Uzzaman Chowdhury, along with directors Selina Chowdhury and Iqram Iqbal.
According to the ACC, in 2016, toll collection responsibility was awarded to CNS Limited through a single-source agreement, bypassing other firms. The ministry allowed CNS to take 17.75% service charges, excluding VAT and income tax, resulting in CNS receiving Taka 489 crore while a joint venture had been paid Taka 15 crore from 2010–2015. The government reportedly suffered a loss of Taka 309 crore from 2016–2022.
The case alleges the accused colluded to gain personal benefits through fraudulent activities. The ACC filed the case under sections 409, 420, and 109 of the Bangladesh Penal Code and section 5(2) of the Corruption Prevention Act, 1947.
MN/
