UNBconnect... (UNB)

Charge sheet submitted against Khaleda in Trust fund scam case

Dhaka, Jan 16 (UNB) – Police investigator on Monday filed charge sheet to the CMM Court of Dhaka against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and three others in Ziaur Rahman Charitable Trust corruption case.

The case was filed by the Anti Corruption Commission with Tejgaon thana on 8 August last year. The other accused in the case are Haris Chowdhury and his APS Ziaul Islam Munna and Mainul Islam Khan, APS of Sadeque Hossain Khoka.

The charge sheet said Khaleda had established the Trust after the name of her assassinated husband president Ziaur Rahman in 2001 through her two sons, Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Coco, who are also trustees, by abusing power.

The trustees mobilised funds of Tk 7.80 crore during the period from 2001 to 2006 from unknown sources. They purchased 42 katha land at Kakrail at Tk6.52 crore but paid Tk 7.77 crore through cheque to the land owner. This shows illegal transaction of about Tk 1.25 crore. Again, the actual value of the land was more than Tk 21.24 crore.

The mobilisation of funds from unknown sources, land purchase and transaction of payment were all illegal and punishable under the law, said the charge sheet filed by assistant commissioner of CID police Harunur Rashid.