Thursday, 28 Mar, 2024

Banglanews exclusive

Suchana wants fair enquiry

Diplomatic Correspondent |
Update: 2014-02-04 09:49:09
Suchana wants fair enquiry

DHAKA: The accused foreign ministry official Suchana Rani Halder termed the charges brought against her in passport missing scandal as an organized syndicated conspiracy against her. She also demanded a fair enquiry about the incident.

Claiming that she does not know anything about the matter she told banglanews that these types of incidents have been occurring in Malaysian High Commission for a long time.

A syndicate is in the practice of supplying passports to the illegal migrants in exchange of huge sum of money. She came to know this after going there.

Some time back about 550 passports got missing from Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia.

From diplomatic sources, it was learnt that a dishonest group of the High Commission staff sold those passports to illegal migrants in exchange of a fat amount.

The authorities, however, suspect some people working in the embassy including Suchona Rani Halder, who is now in Dhaka on leave.

Regarding the matter, Suchona further said that at the time of her appointment she was asked by the foreign ministry to submit reports after observing these incidents in the chancery.

For this reason, she has become victim of that organized conspirators.

She claimed that in collusion of some senior officials of the high commission a strong syndicate is carrying on this type of work.

On the other hand though the ministry did not extend her leave she is overstaying here in Dhaka. She informed media that she has come here for dental treatment and the treatment is still continuing.

On the other hand, for preliminary enquiry a three-member committee has been formed in the high commission headed by defense attaché Air Commodore M. Abul Bashar.  

The second secretary (political) of Bangladesh Mission Suchona Rani Halder came to Dhaka on last January 5 on 10 days casual leave. Though she was supposed to return on January 15, she is still staying here.

When contacted the director general (administration) of the foreign ministry Allama Siddiki told banglanews that the leave of Suchona Rani Halder has expired on last January 15.

Her prayer for extension of leave was not accepted. She has been directed to go to Kualalumpur by January 27 and help the enquiry committee. But, she did not comply the order.

Siddiki thinks that if any allegation arises against anybody it is better to face it.

He further said that very soon a joint team consisting of some ministries will go to Malaysia to investigate the matter. Before that nothing can be said.

Diplomatic sources informed media that Suchona Halder used to work in the vault room of the high commission. That room was reserved for preserving passport books.

Suchona claims that the almirah where the passports were kept was broken. She informed the authorities several times.

A ministry source told banglanews that Suchona Rani Halder, a former Bangladesh Chattra League (BCL) leader who got wounded in the August 21 grenade attack was awarded a three-year contractual appointment in June, 2012 in the foreign ministry on political consideration.

She joined in Kuala Lumpur mission in the post of second secretary (political) in October, 2013. Earlier she was posted in Mauritius mission but she did not go there.

On the other hand the foreign ministry officials said that the number of doubtful passports that came to the mission for authentication increased.

In this way, the allegation of passport missing has gone against her.

BDST: 2030 HRS, FEB 04, 2014

All rights reserved. Sale, redistribution or reproduction of information/photos/illustrations/video/audio contents on this website in any form without prior permission from banglanews24.com are strictly prohibited and liable to legal action.