By IANS
Dhaka : Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission has released its fourth list of “corruption suspects”, which includes top leaders of the two major political parties, bureaucrats and businessmen.
The “suspects”, who could have engaged in corruption while in office include Tofael Ahmed and Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, two members of Awami League’s presidium, its top policy-making body.
Ahmed’s name was known last week, ending his efforts to coordinate with like-minded political parties who form a 14-party alliance.
Also on the list announced Thursday is former Supreme Court judge, Justice Fazlul Haque, who was briefly advisor, performing ministerial functions in the team headed by President Iajuddin Ahmed.
The list includes 17 politicians of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), eight of the Awami League, one of the Jatiya Party and five bureaucrats, New Age newspaper reported Friday.
The businessmen suspected of economic offences are being treated separately, as “panic” caused among the community could cause economic uncertainties. The government has mooted a “Truth Commission” to reign in the businessmen.
Chiefs of both the BNP and the Awami League, former prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, are in jail on corruption charges.
Bangladesh Supreme Court Wednesday stayed the Dhaka High Court order granting bail to Khaleda Zia.
They are among the hundreds netted in the anti-corruption drive conducted since February by the army-backed government of Chief Advisor Fakhruddin Ahmed.
Both women leaders were named in the third list announced earlier by the Anti-Corruption Commission that has so far notified 141 people.