DHAKA, 17 January 2008 — Former Bangladesh Energy Secretary Dr. Toufique-e-Elahi Chowdhury, accused of corruption, was arrested yesterday following his surrender to a Dhaka court.
The accused was sent to jail after Judge Azizul Haque of the Dhaka Metropolitan Court rejected his bail plea.
The Anti-Corruption Commission had filed a case with police on Sept. 2, 2007, against eight people including former Prime Minister Hasina Wajed and the former energy secretary, alleging the accused received kickbacks while awarding contracts for power projects.
Meanwhile, the army-backed interim government has offered talks to a leading political party aimed at resolving an impasse over elections meant to restore democracy in the country.
The proposal was made to Motia Chowdhury, a senior figure in the Awami League, by a government official of ministerial rank on Tuesday.
Political parties have demanded the lifting of a state of emergency to allow them to resume full political activity and want an election to be held by July. But the government reiterated that the election would be held by the end of this year, according to its “election road map.”
Motia said she believed that the interim government would also contact other parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, with the offer of talks.
“We are always in favor of talks,” she said. “We have participated in talks with the Election Commission recently and put our suggestions.” Officials said the government wanted to narrow the distance with political parties through discussion.
Bitter rivals Khaleda and Hasina, who alternated in power for 15 years until October 2006, are both currently being held on corruption charges amid a crackdown on graft.
A court formally indicted Hasina on an extortion charge last Sunday and the prosecution will resume today.
Both of the former prime ministers deny the charges. But lawyers say both are likely to be barred from contesting polls if convicted.
Bangladesh has been under a state of emergency since January last year, when the army-backed interim government took charge following months of political violence.
It banned political activities, rallies and protests, canceled an election planned for Jan. 22, 2007, and launched a massive crackdown on corruption aimed at cleaning up politics before parliamentary elections.
More than 170 leading politicians, including Khaleda’s two sons and dozens of ex-ministers, have been detained.
