The High Court has directed the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh to investigate corruption in the installation of elevators at the Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST). The High Court judge accepted the writ petition filed by Abdul Karim, a resident of Jhikargachha Upazila of Jashore and Justice Md. Nazrul Islam Talukder Justice Kazi Ibadat Hossain gave this order.
Plaintiff’s lawyer Mustafa Golam Kibria confirmed the matter after receiving the certified copy of the writ order on Tuesday (February 27).
Abdul Karim, a resident of Jashore’s Jhikargacha upazila and Bangabandhu Parishad Jashore district branch’s publicity and publication affairs secretary, Abdul Karim, said that there were allegations of irregularities and corruption regarding the installation of 14 lifts in the Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST). Various newspapers published news about the matter. He filed a writ petition in the High Court, taking into account the issue of corruption and the quality of the lift being questioned, fearing an accident. The Hon’ble High Court accepted his writ petition and ordered an inquiry.
Plaintiff’s lawyer Mustafa Golam Kibria said that tenders were called for the installation of 14 ‘machine room type’ lifts in JUST, but ‘machine room less type’ lifts were accepted there. The High Court has taken cognizance of the writ as there are allegations of corruption and irregularities. High Court Justice Md. Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Kazi Ibadat Hossain gave the order in this regard on February 12. He received the certified copy of the writ order on Tuesday (February 27).
The order asked the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to conduct a fair investigation and submit a report within 60 days after receiving a copy of the order. At the same time, Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) has been asked to form a high-powered committee and submit an inquiry report within 15 days.
The convener of the JUST elevator committee, Dr. Syed Md. Ghalib said that he heard the matter of the writ in the High Court regarding the installation of the lift. However, no copy of the rule has been received yet. After receiving the copy, action will be taken in consultation with the university lawyer.
In this regard, JUST Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Anwar Hossain said that he has not yet received any documents related to the instructions of the High Court.
It may be noted that, in May last year, there were complaints of irregularities in the installation of 14 lifts in Jashore University of Science and Technology. In this work of 10.5 crore taka, the news of ‘JUST elevator incident’ was published in various newspapers and magazines with allegations of major irregularities. The complaint states that the goods of 14 elevators were supplied in violation of several conditions of the tender. One of these was the provision of ‘engine room less type’ elevators instead of ‘engine room type’. At the same time door size and motor power are offered in lower quality according to tender. As mentioned in the tender, the lift receiving committee gave a report stating ‘non-compliance’ in three categories of lifts supplied. But still the elevator was installed.