ACC files 6 cases against ex-health minister Zahid, 12 others over 12cr taka COVID project fund misuse

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Monday filed six cases against former Health Minister Zahid Maleque and 12 others over alleged irregularities, fraud and misappropriation of government funds in the procurement of medical equipment and services under a COVID-19 response project.

According to the ACC, its investigation found alleged irregularities in six procurement packages under the COVID-19 Emergency Response and Pandemic Preparedness (ERPP) Project, involving the alleged misappropriation of 12.03 crore taka in total.

ACC Secretary Md Saidur Rahman Khan disclosed the information at a media briefing at the commission’s headquarters.

The project involved procuring KN95 and N95 masks, hand gloves, hospital beds, medical and surgical equipment, television commercials, mobile applications and web applications.

The ACC alleged that the accused, acting in collusion and through abuse of power and deception, misappropriated government funds in connection with the procurements.

The alleged amounts involved in the six cases were 3.479 crore taka in the first case, 1.4895 crore taka in the second, 93.9875 lakh taka in the third, 62.7347 lakh taka in the fourth, 2.16976155 crore taka in the fifth and 3.3264 crore taka in the sixth.

Besides Zahid Maleque, the accused include former ERPP Project Director Prof Dr Md Iqbal Kabir, former Additional Director General Dr Saniya Tahmina Jhora and Prof Dr Nasima Sultana, along with other Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) officials involved in the project.

Owners and officials of various companies involved in supplying goods and services under the relevant packages have also been named as accused.

The cases were filed based on investigation reports prepared by the ACC.

The charges were brought under sections 409, 420, 120(B) and 109 of the Penal Code and section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.