Petition filed in HC seeking inquiry into import of ‘poor quality’ of wheat from Brazil

A writ petition has been filed in the High Court seeking a probe by Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) into the allegations of ‘poor quality’ of wheat being imported from Brazil.

The bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman might hear the petition on Tuesday, said the petitioner’s lawyer Sanjid Siddique.

Media reports over wheat imports from Brazil have been attached with the petition that sought a rule as to why the import of ‘substandard’ wheat should not be declared as ultra vires.

The Latin term ultra vires means beyond the powers. It describes actions that exceed the scope of power given by law.

The petition, filed by one Pavel Mia, also sought a High Court order for testing of wheat by the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute (BSTI) and Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute.

It also pleaded that a probe by the ACC be ordered if the wheat was found ‘substandard’ in the tests.

The secretary of food ministry, food department director general and three others have been made party to the writ, said petitioner’s lawyer Siddique.

A recent report published by a daily, said the food ministry imported 200,000 tonnes of rotten and inconsumable wheat worth Tk 4 billion from Brazil.

Several political parties and organisations have demanded action against those involved in the import of the wheat and called for food minister’s resignation.

Amid the widespread criticism, Food Minister Qamrul Islam told Parliament on Jun 20 that Bangladesh would not procure any more wheat from Brazil. “We’ll not bring this again. This (wheat) even looks bad.”

He, however, claimed that the wheat was not rotten.

“This wheat is totally good; it’s clear from the tests conducted by Food Department and the science laboratory (Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research). I am satisfied over the quality of the wheat,” Islam had said.