ACC files 6 cases against Zahid Maleque, 12 others over COVID-19 project 

The ACC has filed six cases against former Health Minister Zahid Maleque and 12 others over allegations of irregularities, fraud and misappropriation of government funds in the procurement of medical equipment and services under a project to combat COVID-19.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Secretary Md Saidur Rahman Khan told the information at a media briefing at the commission’s headquarters here today.

According to the ACC, its investigation found alleged irregularities in six packages under the COVID-19 Emergency Response and Pandemic Preparedness (ERPP) Project, resulting in allegations of misappropriation of a total of Tk12.03 crore.

The project involved the procurement of various goods and services including KN95 and N95 masks, hand gloves, hospital beds, medical and surgical equipment, television commercials, mobile applications and web applications.

The ACC alleged that the accused, acting in collusion and through abuse of power and deception, misappropriated government funds in connection with the procurements.

The alleged amounts involved in the six cases are – Tk3.479 crore in the first case, Tk1.4895 crore in the second, Tk93.9875 lakh in the third, Tk62.7347 lakh in the fourth, Tk2.16976155 crore in the fifth and Tk3.3264 crore in the sixth case.

Besides Zahid Maleque, the accused include former ERPP Project Director Prof Dr Md Iqbal Kabir, former Additional Director General Dr Saniya Tahmina Jhora and Prof Dr Nasima Sultana, along with other officials of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) concerned with the project.

Owners and officials of various companies involved in supplying goods and services under the relevant packages have also been named as accused in the cases.

The cases were filed on the basis of investigation reports prepared by the ACC.

The charges have been brought under sections 409, 420, 120(B) and 109 of the Penal Code and section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.