ACC appreciates Suranjit’s resignation
It assigns IO to look into source of his son’s wealth
Dhaka, Apr 16 (UNB) – The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Monday welcomed the resignation of Railways Minister Suranjit Sengupta.
“We appreciate Suranjit Sengupta for his resignation. He has set an ideal example with the resignation,” ACC Chairman Ghulam Rahman told reporters at his office.
Asked whether they will grill Suranjit about the recent railway scam, he said, “No one is above the law, we’ll question him if it’s necessary.”
He said they have already started investigation into the incident and will do every thing for ensuring a neutral probe.
Ghulam Rahman said they will look into the sources of wealth of Soumen Sengupta, son of Suranjit Sengupta, who got a Tk 5-crore telecommunication gateway licence recently.
The ACC chief said they have also assigned an investigation officer to inquire the source of the money.
Soumen was awarded the telecommunication gateway licence on Thursday by Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), just two days after the Tk 70 lakh scandal involving the minister’s close aide and two top railway officials came to light.
Soumen, who worked at internet service provider Agni Systems Ltd six months ago, had to pay the telecom regulator Tk 5 crore in licence fees. The amount was paid between March 2 and April 2.
According to Suranjit’s wealth statement submitted to the Election Commission before the 2008 election, his annual income amounted to Tk 7 lakh, the sources of which were mentioned as house rent, fisheries and farmland.
After taking office as Railways Minister in December 28 last year, the veteran Awami League leader hit the newspaper headlines by saying that he would catch the a black cat (corrupt elements ) in the railway department.
The outspoken politician turned pale under the barrage of criticism from various quarters calling for his resignation following the recovery of Tk 70 lakh from the car of his APS and two railway officials on their way to his Jhigatola residence on April 9.
Amid the pressure from the media, the opposition and civil society members, Suranjit resigned today.
“We appreciate Suranjit Sengupta for his resignation. He has set an ideal example with the resignation,” ACC Chairman Ghulam Rahman told reporters at his office.
Asked whether they will grill Suranjit about the recent railway scam, he said, “No one is above the law, we’ll question him if it’s necessary.”
He said they have already started investigation into the incident and will do every thing for ensuring a neutral probe.
Ghulam Rahman said they will look into the sources of wealth of Soumen Sengupta, son of Suranjit Sengupta, who got a Tk 5-crore telecommunication gateway licence recently.
The ACC chief said they have also assigned an investigation officer to inquire the source of the money.
Soumen was awarded the telecommunication gateway licence on Thursday by Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), just two days after the Tk 70 lakh scandal involving the minister’s close aide and two top railway officials came to light.
Soumen, who worked at internet service provider Agni Systems Ltd six months ago, had to pay the telecom regulator Tk 5 crore in licence fees. The amount was paid between March 2 and April 2.
According to Suranjit’s wealth statement submitted to the Election Commission before the 2008 election, his annual income amounted to Tk 7 lakh, the sources of which were mentioned as house rent, fisheries and farmland.
After taking office as Railways Minister in December 28 last year, the veteran Awami League leader hit the newspaper headlines by saying that he would catch the a black cat (corrupt elements ) in the railway department.
The outspoken politician turned pale under the barrage of criticism from various quarters calling for his resignation following the recovery of Tk 70 lakh from the car of his APS and two railway officials on their way to his Jhigatola residence on April 9.
Amid the pressure from the media, the opposition and civil society members, Suranjit resigned today.
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