HC orders completion of RNPP graft probe by six months

The High Court on Monday ordered the authorities concerned to complete investigations into three graft cases, which have been filed over allegations of graft in the housing project of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP), within six months.

The bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Ahmed Sohel also adjourned the bail petition of Engineer Shahiful Islam, an accused in the cases, for six months.

Advocate Syed Ahmed Reza stood for the petitioner while Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan stood for ACC and Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik represented the state, reports UNB.

On August 17, the HC issued a rule asking the government to explain why Shahiful should not be granted bail in the cases.

An allegation of misappropriating Tk 132.4 million was raised while purchasing furniture and other household items for Green City housing project of RNPP.

According to reports, each pillow was shown to have cost Tk 5,957 and Tk 760 was shown as the lifting charge for each pillow while an electric stove was shown to have been bought for Tk 7,747 with an additional lifting charge of Tk 6,650.

The purchase price of an electric kettle was reportedly Tk 5,313 while its lifting cost was Tk 2,945. Similarly, a room-cleaning machine, purchased at Tk 12,018, was lifted spending Tk 6,650.

Four separate cases were filed in this connection and Engineer Shahidul Islam was accused in three cases.