Misappropriating State Fund
File case against PM, former CJ
Demands pro-BNP lawyers
Pro-BNP lawyers yesterday demanded filing of a case and punitive action against the prime minister and former chief justice ABM Khairul Haque on charge of misappropriating money from the prime minister's relief and welfare fund.
Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum (JAF), a body of pro-BNP lawyers, placed the demand at a press conference at the South Hall of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) building in the afternoon.
JAF President Rafiqul Islam Mia presented a written statement on the occasion, urging Anti Corruption Commission to file the case against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Khairul.
He alleged that the prime minister (PM) and former chief justice misappropriated money by terming Khairul “a destitute man”.
Rafiqul also demanded formation of a probe committee led by another former chief justice to investigate whether a chief justice can be termed “a poor and destitute man” and whether it is unethical for Khairul to take money.
He demanded the government to take effective steps to refund the money.
Rafiqul urged the ministers, state ministers and ruling party leaders not to make any inconsistent statement against Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Khaleda Zia.
On August 31, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, at a programme in the city, said Khairul nullified the caretaker government system for money.
Meanwhile, JAF leaders yesterday could not place any specific official document supporting Khaleda's statement.
JAF Secretary General Mahbub Uddin Khokon, at a press conference at SCBA building on September 8, declared that they would organise a press conference on September 11 (yesterday) with documents supporting Khaleda's statement.
However, Rafiqul yesterday presented the written statement mentioning some newspaper reports on Khairul taking money from the PM's relief fund.
Supreme Court sources said Khairul was given Tk 10.37 lakh from the PM's relief fund as per rule for his wife's treatment abroad in July 2009.
When asked for the official documents, Mahbub said they mentioned in the written statement how Khairul delivered the verdict for money.
A pro-BNP lawyer, requesting anonymity, told The Daily Star that they are making the statements against Khairul to make him controversial so that he cannot be the chief of a caretaker government if the system is restored in the future.
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