Bangladesh News

The case against suspended Special Superintendent of Police (SP) Muhammad Abdul Baten filed for offering bribe to the then state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar has been finally proved false and fabricated.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday submitted the final report of the case, clearing Baten of the charge as no evidence was found during investigation.

Babar’s secretary Mohammad Quamruzzaman Chowdhury filed the case with Ramna Police Station on June 3, 2004.

After a long probe into the allegation ACC Deputy Assistant Director Khondaker Rahim Joardar, who investigated the case, yesterday submitted its final report to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court of Dhaka.

In the report, he said Special SP Baten had given a statement saying he had investigated several sensational murder cases against BNP and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leaders.

The then state minister for home asked Baten to drop their names from the murder charges but Baten did not comply. So, he was accused of offering bribe to Babar, Baten said in his statement.

The final report further said complainant Quamruzzaman himself withdrew the allegations against Baten saying the charges brought against Baten were false and fabricated and that he was forced to file the case.

In the case statement, it was alleged that Baten was arrested when he offered bribe to Babar to cancel orders for his transfer to Khagrachhari.

A police headquarters press release dated June 3, 2004, said Baten was handed over to Ramna police on charge of attempting to bribe Babar.

It also said Baten, who received the transfer order just two days ago, went to Babar’s Secretariat office on the plea of having a talk with him. Baten put a packet containing money on the table, requested Babar to accept it and cancel his transfer order. He also told the minister that he wanted to remain posted in Dhaka as he was due to retire in about 16 months’ time, the police press release said.

A few police officials, however, linked his arrest to his efforts to capture a BNP man in connection with the murder of the then Awami League lawmaker Ahsanullah Master.

Baten refuted the allegation of bribing and said it was a conspiracy against him.