Public property plunderers must face legal actions: PM

Accusing again the BNP of committing unbridled corruption and siphoning off money abroad during its rule, Prime Minister and Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina yesterday warned that proper action must be taken against those who plundered public property.

"Proper action must be taken against those who looted public property ... we've already taken measures to bring back the money laundered by Khaleda Zia and her family members," she said.

Sheikh Hasina added: "We could not say everything in the interest of conducting investigation into the matter."

The premier's comments came as Jatiya Party lawmaker Fakhrul Imam raised a supplementary during her question answer session on the Global Intelligence report which mentioned the corruption and money laundering committed by Khaleda Zia and her family members.

She extended her sincere thanks to the opposition lawmaker for projecting the graft and money laundering by the BNP chairperson and her family members.

The Leader of the House said there are many people in the country who will shed crocodile's tears if the government raises this allegation. "They will say that we do it out of vengeance," she added.

Sheikh Hasina said: "As the allegation was raised by the opposition, we hope that the people will realize that how the BNP looted the public property and as a result, Bangladesh became champion in graft for five consecutive years."

The prime minister said the BNP government couldn't make any development of the country. "Rather the country witnessed socioeconomic deterioration during their five-year rule," she added.

Sheikh Hasina said after coming to power, the BNP unleashed killing, torture and committed unbridled corruption and siphoned off the country's property abroad. "The BNP also created terrorism and militancy and the people knew it and raised the allegations about their (BNP) misdeeds," she added.

The premier said the present government has been able to bring back the money siphoned off by Arafat Rahman Koko, younger son of Khaleda Zia. "It was the first instance in the country that bringing back money from abroad has been possible," she added.

Source: bss