Dhaka, Jul 2 (bdnews24.com)--The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) officials on Monday quizzed a local representative of Canadian engineering firm SNC-Lavalin Group Inc over charges of bribing officials in Bangladesh in the Padma bridge project.
Ziaul Haque came to its Segun Bagicha headquarters in the city, Public Relation Officer Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya told bdnews24.com.
The details of the interrogation could not be known immediately.
Earlier, the watchdog interrogated former Communication Minister Syed Abul Hossain, former State Minister for Foreign Affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury, younger brother of Whip Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury, Nixon Chowdhury, in connection with alleged graft.
The World Bank cancelled its $1.2 billion loan for the ambitious project on Friday, claiming credible proof of corruption.
The move was taken after Canadian authorities drew World Bank's attention to the 'corruptions' in the project involving Bangladeshi government officials last September.
However, the government has been saying it did not commit any 'wrongdoing'.
After the World Bank suspended its pledged $1.2 billion fund for the $2.9 billion project in October last year, the ACC decided to investigate the charges.
On Feb 2, it declared that there had been no corruption in selection of pre-qualified contractors for the project. However, investigations were in progress to find out whether there were any irregularities in appointing consultants.
Two former executives of the Canadian engineering firm accused of bribing officials in Bangladesh appeared in a Toronto court to set a date for a preliminary hearing that will start next year.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrested the executives, Ramesh Shah, 61, and Mohammad Ismail, 48, in February following a 2011 raid on SNC offices. The company is one of the world's largest engineering firms.
Destiny Chairman quizzed
Apart from Ziaul Haque, ACC also interrogated Destiny 2000 Chairman Mohammad Rafiqul Amin in over allegations of running illegal banking operations.
"(ACC) is scrutinising the allegations against the Destiny group," Bhattacharya told bdnews24.com.
"We have asked him (Rafiqul) some questions regarding the issue," he added.
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