Staff Reporter :
The High Court on Tuesday directed Deputy Attorney General Jannatul Ferdousi Rupa to seek time from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for appearing before it to face its interrogation on allegations of amassing wealth beyond known income sources.
The Deputy Attorney General could seek time from the anti-graft body till December 6, said the court in its order.
Besides the court adjourned the hearing till December 3 on the writ petition that was filed by the law officer challenging the legality of a ACC notice asking her to appear before it on allegations. The High Court bench of Justice Md Moinul Islam Chowdhury and Justice AKM Zahirul Huq passed the order after holding hearing on the writ petition.
Advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun, Advocate ZI Khan Panna and Advocate Salah Uddin Dolon appeared in the court on behalf of Jannantul Ferdousi Rupa, while Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan appeared for the ACC.
Advocate ZI Khan Panna said, “The court adjourned the hearing on the writ petition till December 3. And as all the members of Rupa’s family are affected by Covid-19, she may not be able to appear before the ACC on Wednesday. So the court directs her to place an application to the ACC seeking time till December 6.”
ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan said, “If she could not go to the ACC due to her sickness, someone would submit the appeal on her behalf seeking time.”
An inquiry was initiated in October this year against her and ACC deputy director Mohammad Ibrahim served a notice to her on October 28 asking to appear in the commission on November 4 to face interrogation.
After receiving the ACC notice Jannatul Ferdousi Rupa on last Sunday filed the writ petition with the High Court.
On Monday one High Court bench dropped her petition from its cause-list. Then the state counsel moved a new bench.
According to the notice, DAG Jannatul Ferdousi Rupa had allegedly amassed wealth beyond known income sources through irregularities, abuse of power, bribery, forgery and collusion with several accused individuals, including expelled Juba League leader, GK Shamim.
ZI Khan Panna said, “Any of the Deputy Attorney Generals or the Assistant Attorney Generals cannot grant bail to anyone. Since the ACC notice mentioned about the bail, it must be assumed that the court is also involved here and such allegations could be considered as contempt of court.”
