DHAKA: Two persons, including former Textiles and Jute Minister Latif Siddiqui, were charge-sheeted for incurring a loss of Tk 40.69 lakh of the government through selling land of Bangladesh Jute Mill Corporation (BJMC). 

Jahanara Rashid, wife of late Harunur Rashid, hails from Katnarpara area of Bogra town, is another accused in the case.

Anti-Corruption commission (ACC) gave the approval in its meeting on Thursday (Feb 7).

Sources concerned at ACC confirmed the matter to Banglanews.

On October 17, 2017, ACC assistant director Md Aminul Islam filed the case with Adamdighi Police Station.

According to the case statement, Jahanara Rashid took lease a piece of land in Adamdighi upazila of Bogra, owned by Bangladesh Jute Corporation, for three years at Tk 1.20 lakh per year on May 13, 2010. 

Instead of replying repeated order from the Textiles and Jute Ministry to pay rent for the 2.38 acre land, Jahanara applied to the Textile and Jute Ministry to purchase the land on November 13, 2011.

Without floating any formal tender, the then Textiles and Jute Minister sold the land to Jahanara at Tk 23.94 lakh instead of its market price Tk 64.63 lakh, incurring a loss of Tk 40.69 lakh.  

Later, the ACC filed the case against Latif Siddiqui and Jahanara under sectios 409/109 the Penal Code and section 5(2) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act 1947.

BDST: 1428 HRS, FEB 7, 2019
RS/SMS