DHAKA, 17 July 2007 — Prison authorities in Bangladesh now have a difficult job in making housing arrangements for VIP women prisoners, as the wives of corrupt politicians are also being sent to jail for helping their husbands.
The Dhaka Central Jail has already completed making provisions to accommodate women VIP prisoners. The first VIP prisoner is Awami League chief and former Premier Hasina Wajed who was arrested yesterday.
Talking to newsmen in Dhaka recently, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Prisons Maj. Shamsul Haider Siddique, said, “We have already prepared a large room, which was used as a day care center... to house VIP women prisoners. At least 20 women prisoners would be kept in the special cell.”
He added, “Former Communications Minister Barrister Nazmul Huda’s wife Sigma Huda and former State Minister for Power Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku’s wife Romena Mahmud and their daughter Sara Mahmud are currently in the cell.”
Former State Minister for Labour Amanullah Aman’s wife Sabera Aman and former President of the Bangladesh Cricket Control Board and BNP lawmaker Ali Asgor Loby’s wife are also to be soon kept in the cell.
Members of the army-led joint security forces have so far arrested over 100 VIPs on various charges including corruption. Those arrested include political leaders, noted businessmen, former government officials and media personalities. The wives of political leaders, especially former ministers and lawmakers of both the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, may be arrested for their alleged involvement in helping their corrupt husbands, intelligence sources said.
“None would be spared if found guilty, as everyone is equal in the eyes of the law,” said Lt. Gen. Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury, chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission.
Meanwhile, many of the wives of former ministers and lawmakers, who are co-accused with their husbands in several cases, went into hiding following the arrest of Sigma Huda, Romena and Sara Mahmud.
