Rakib Hasan, Madaripur:

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation against 13 people including former Deputy Commissioner of Madaripur Md. Wahidul Islam and Dr. Rahima Khatun on charges of corruption and embezzlement in land acquisition for the Padma Bridge rail link project. The accused include two more former Additional Deputy Commissioners, a land acquisition officer and several officials and employees of the district administration office.

On Tuesday (July 29), a notice was sent to the concerned persons from the ACC’s Madaripur Integrated District Office. ACC Assistant Director and Investigation Officer Md. Akhtaruzzaman confirmed the matter to The Daily Sky Correspondent on Wednesday morning.

ACC sources said that, a preliminary investigation has been launched into allegations of bribery, corruption and irregularities in the land acquisition process of the Padma Rail Link Project.

An investigation team has been formed with Assistant Director Akhtaruzzaman as the head and Assistant Director Md. Saidur Rahman Apu as a member.

Notices have been issued to the accused seeking necessary information and documents as per Section 19 of the ACC Act 2004 and Rule 8 of the ACC Rules 2007.

The 13 officials who have been served with the notice are: former Deputy Commissioner of Madaripur Md. Wahidul Islam, former Deputy Commissioner Dr. Rahima Khatun, former Additional Deputy Commissioner Syed Faruk Ahmed, former Additional Deputy Commissioner Jhotan Chandra, former Land Acquisition Officer Md. Saifuddin Gias, Mohammad Sumon Shibli, Promath Ranjan Ghatak, Al Mamun, Md. Nazmul Haque Sumon, Acting Kanungo of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office Md. Nasir Uddin, Md. Abul Hossain, Rezaul Haque and Record Keeper Manik Chandra Mondal.

ACC Assistant Director Md. Akhtaruzzaman said, “Notices regarding the complaint have been sent to the District Administrator’s Office, the two former DCs and those concerned. Their statements will be taken. Legal action would be taken after completion of the investigation.”