The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) on Tuesday interrogated a deputy general manager (DGM) of Bashundhara Group for three hours in connection with the alleged accumulation of illegal wealth by former judge Motahar Hossain. ACC deputy director Harunur Rashid told UNB that he quizzed Bashundhara Group DGM (Law) Pabitra Sarkar from 10 am to 1 pm at the ACC head office. He said the ACC will interrogate bench clerks (peshkars) Abul Kalam Azad of Speedy Trial Tribunal-4 and Ariful Islam of Special Judge Court-3 on Wednesday in connection with the graft allegation, as both worked under judge Motahar. On Monday, the ACC questioned Motahar’s gunman Badal Dewan and driver Sohrab Hossain. On January 23, the ACC also interrogated stenographers M Abul Hasan of Speedy Trial Tribunal-4 and M Nurul Islam of Special Judge Court-3 in connection with the allegation. The ACC earlier this month received a graft allegation against the former judge. After examining the allegation, the Commission decided to launch an inquiry into the matter. According to the allegation received by the Commission, former special judge of Dhaka Metropolitan Session Judge Court Motahar Hossain accumulated huge movable and immovable wealth illegally and laundered money abroad. On January 20 this year, the graft watchdog appointed an inquiry officer to probe graft allegation against Motahar and sent letters to Additional IGP (Special Branch) and immigration authorities to see that the former judge cannot leave the country. However, Motahar left the country for Malaysia on January 8 this year, the Commission sources confirmed later. On November 17 last year, Judge Motahar Hossain acquitted Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, in a money-laundering case involving Tk 20.41 crore. Judge Motahar went on retirement on December 30, 2013. – UNB
