DHAKA: Barrister Rafique-ul-Haque Sunday came up with a reminder that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had sued politicians en masse to implement the ‘minus-two formula’ during the caretaker regime following the 1/11 changeover.

The veteran lawyer made the comment after the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court dismissed an ACC leave-to-appeal petition against the High Court judgment that exonerated Dr. Mahiuddin Khan Alamgir from the conviction in a graft case.

The full AD bench headed by Chief Justice Mohammad Fazlul Karim passed the order upholding the High Court judgment.

ACC filed the case against the presidium member of the ruling Awami League for accumulating wealth beyond known source of money TK. 3.27 crore.

The verdict of the Appellate Division would place more than 80 similar cases on tenterhooks. The emergency-time special court at the parliament Bhaban had passed sentences against the political leaders and others for different terms in these cases.

The convicts appealed in the lower court against the cases. Now the cases are in the final stages of disposal through legal process, now that a political government is in power.

ACC prosecutor Khursid Alam Khan told banglanews24.com.bd that “the verdict of the Appellate Division will affect the other cases waiting in the final stages because all other courts are bound to obey the verdict of the apex court”.

He also would tell ACC to follow the verdict.   

Barrister Rafique-ul-Haque said, “The ACC was used for political purpose in the one-eleven period. They filed cases to implement the minus-two-formula. It didn’t follow the law and that’s why it has to face the consequence.”

He added: “We are not on the side of corruption. We are on the legal side and we want the Commission would follow the law.”

BDST: 2026Hrs. July 4, 2010