Editorial
JS probe report
The charges are too serious to be rejected outright
IT is the first time in our parliamentary history that an all party parliamentary committee has recommended legal action against an erstwhile speaker, deputy speaker and chief whip after an investigation of allegations of gross financial irregularity, misuse of funds and abuse of power of office by the three.
Our primary concern, when the probe was ordered, was whether it would be transparent and the committee free of political bias while conducting the investigation. It is only when the report is made public that we would be able to say for certain whether all the objective conditions had been fully met by the committee, but so far as we can assess at this time from press reports, it can be said that the committee work has been reasonably objective.
It is regrettable that the BNP member of the committee chose to stay away from the proceedings of the committee while the three accused did not feel it necessary to answer to the allegations in front of the parliamentary committee in spite of being given the opportunity to do so.
The charges indeed are very serious, and the findings of the committee, of gross violation of rules and regulations in the conduct of the administration of the parliament by the three accused, cannot be dismissed merely by saying that the whole exercise is politically motivated. Such a position does not cut much ice with the public, who cannot but see this as a political stunt.
Certainly the findings are extremely unpalatable and difficult for the BNP to digest, as it would be for anyone with an iota of self esteem and respect for the rule of law; but facts are facts. After all, the documents speak for themselves and the outright rejection of the report is very injudicious on the part of the BNP, to say the least. The least that the party can do is to take into consideration the findings of the committee and point out the errors and anomalies, if any. That way we feel it would be better placed to present its case to the people and gain their sympathy by making clear the reasons for the position it has taken.
According to the findings of the report, the three highest offices of the parliament have been defiled, and the chair of the speaker devalued by the unethical acts and other indiscretions, to put it mildly. It would be our hope that the parliament would consider the findings with due diligence and ensure that the same is not repeated.
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