Panel gets crest ‘fraud’ papers

Documents relating to the allegation that crests awarded to honour Bangladesh’s foreign friends contain less than the standard amount of gold have been sent to a parliamentary enquiry committee.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs on Apr 24 decided to investigate the allegations.

A sub-committee was formed with Afsarul Amin as the convenor, and Gazi Golam Dastagir and Iqbalur Rahim as members.

It accused altogether 13 persons, including former state minister AB Tajul Islam, former secretary Mizanur Rahman and current Secretary KH Masud Siddique, and the institution supplying the crests and medals of the alleged fraud.

Islam is the current chief of the parliamentary standing committee.

Nearly 250 foreign nationals were awarded crests, shawls and certificates in seven phases last year for their contribution to Bangladesh’s independence.

A national daily on Apr 6 reported that the crests contained less than the standard quantity of gold.

It also said brass, copper and zinc alloy were used instead of silver.

The national committee for honouring foreign friends had decided to use one bhori or 0.34 ounce (16 ana) of gold and 30 bhoris of silver in each crest.

However, a BSTI test found only 3 ana of gold in the crests and, instead of silver, 341 grams of mixed metal containing brass, copper and zinc.

Speaking to bdnews24.com on Wednesday, Afsarul Amin said they were reviewing the documents in their first meeting.

“We have received the report on the ministry’s investigation as well as documents detailing the persons who had appointed a particular institution to supply the crests and who were involved with purchase,” he said.

About the committee’s chief being an accused in the matter, Amin said, “We will publish the names of the accused no matter whoever they are.”