Scrapping of Sircar’s JS membership suggested

Probe body places report in the House
Scrapping of Sircar’s JS membership suggested
The Parliamentary Investigation Committee, which probed the alleged corruptions and misuse of power committed by former Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Chief Whip, on Thursday suggested scrapping of membership of the 9th parliament of Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar and legal actions against him for his transgression.
It also suggested legal actions against former Deputy Speaker Akhtar Hamid Siddiqui and former Chief Whip Khandaker Delwar Hossain for the similar offences they did while holding offices during the period from 2001 to 2006.
“As the custodian of the House, the post of Speaker bears the highest dignity that commands the respect of all sections of people. Persons holding these important positions were bound to uphold their image in the greater national interest, but they did not do so,” observed the committee in its report place in the House today.
Although Sircar, Siddiqui and Delwar were invited to appear before the committee, they did not comply, the report said adding that such a non-compliance had amounted to sheer damage to the dignity and image of the Jatiya Sangsad. In view of such a non- compliance by the trios, the committee has recommended bringing charges of contempt of the JS against them.
The report came after nearly four months’ thorough investigation into the alleged corruptions, misuse of power and embezzlement of public funds done by the holders of top three posts of the JS during the period when they were in office from 2001 to 2006 while the BNP-Jamaat alliance was in power.
In the 784-page report, committee chairman Advocate Fazle Rabbi Mia while placing the probe statement in the House referred to the Rule 12 of the Special Medical Attendance Rules, 1950, and said the head of the government or the Prime Minister gives approval to the expenditure for treatment abroad of Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Chief Whip.
But, the report said, Barrister Jamir, Siddiqui and Delwar drew Taka 27,86,364, Taka 1,21,703 and 600,000 respectively without the approval of the then Prime Minister, establishing it as a violation of law before the committee.
The report said Barrister Jamir sent his medical bill to the then Prime Minister but she returned it without approval. The former Speaker himself took the decision for approval of the bill and drew the government money unethically.
Similarly, the report said, Barrister Jamir also helped Siddiqui and Delwar in such illegal and unethical jobs by giving approval to their medical bills.
It said the trio had been invited by the committee to give their opinions on the issue but they did not appear.
However, the deputy speaker in his written speech said urgent treatment was needed as he fell sick during foreign tour and the original voucher was submitted with the medical bill and it was taken due to entitlement of medical allowance at home and abroad.
But, the report said, the former deputy speaker cannot be relieved of the offence as he did not take approval of the then Prime Minister.
Therefore, the report said, recommendations have been made for paying back the money by the trio to the government exchequer immediately.

BSS, Sangsad Bhaban