The Padma Bridge corruption case, previously dismissed despite having sufficient evidence, is being revived for fresh investigation and a comprehensive report, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Mohammad Moin Uddin Momen announced on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters at the ACC headquarters in Segunbagicha, the chairman stated that although key elements and evidence supported the allegations, the case had been shelved due to a flawed and incomplete investigation report.
“We believe the case was suppressed with undue force. It must be revived, and this time, a complete and self-contained report will be submitted,” he said.
The ACC had filed the original case in December 2012 after the World Bank withdrew funding from the Padma Multipurpose Bridge project over suspected corruption.
The case was lodged at Banani Police Station against seven individuals, including then-Secretary of the Bridges Division, Md Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, who was arrested and temporarily suspended but later returned to service after being granted bail.
The ACC chairman noted that the initial case focused on controversies surrounding the appointment of consultants.
“Despite the presence of solid grounds, a final report dismissing the charges was filed in court. When the current commission took office last December, we revisited the matter,” Momen said.
He explained that the project’s procurement process showed signs of deliberate manipulation.
“The evaluation committee, which was supposed to be formed under the Public Procurement Act (PPA) and Public Procurement Rules (PPR), was changed multiple times with questionable intent,” he said, adding that such acts indicated criminal tendencies and conflicts of interest.
“There were instances where the same items were shown as purchased multiple times even though they were reusable—a clear violation of procurement norms in large-scale projects,” Momen said.
Further irregularities were observed in the evaluation of consultants’ CVs, with mandatory procedures and meetings being skipped.
“We have found that required interviews and document reviews were not properly conducted. The entire evaluation process overlooked core procurement guidelines,” he added.
In conclusion, the ACC chairman confirmed that the commission has launched a new investigation and the case will be reactivated.
“This time, our investigation officer will submit a full and accurate report to ensure proper legal proceedings,” he stated.
