Staff Reporter :
A writ was filed with the High Court on Monday challenging the legality of import and distribution of “substandard” wheat worth Tk 400 crore from Brazil.
The plaintiff also sought necessary directives on the Anti-Corruption Commission [ACC] to start investigation to the corruption committed in the import of rotten wheat.
Advocate Pavel Miah, a lawyer of the Dhaka Judges Court, moved the petition.
The petitioner prayed to the HC to issue a rule upon the government asking as to why punishment should not be given to those involved in importing rotten wheat.
The Food Secretary, the DG of the Food Directorate, the DG of BSTI, Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute and the ACC have been made respondents in the rule.
The petitioner also prayed to the court for directing the government to test the wheat at Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution [BSTI] and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute [BARI] whether it is fit for human consumption. The bench of Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman might hear the petition on Tuesday, said the petitioner’s lawyer Sanjid Siddique.
Media reports over wheat imports from Brazil have been attached with the petition that sought a rule as to why the import of ‘substandard’ wheat should not be declared as ultra vires. The Latin term ultra vires means beyond the powers. It describes actions that exceed the scope of power given by law.
Recently, the food ministry imported 400 tonnes of rotten and inconsumable wheat worth Tk 400 crore from Brazil.
Several political parties and organisations have demanded action against those involved in the import of the wheat and called for food minister’s resignation.
Amid the widespread criticism, Food Minister Qamrul Islam told Parliament on Jun 20 that Bangladesh would not procure wheat any more from Brazil. “We’ll not bring this again. This (wheat) even looks bad.” He, however, claimed that the wheat was not rotten.
But the wheat is not rotten and it is fit for human consumption, said the minister.
“This wheat is totally clear from the tests conducted by Food Department and the science laboratory (Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research). I am satisfied over the quality of the wheat,” Islam had said.
