DHAKA: A parliamentary sub-committee found no evidence of former state minister for liberation war affairs ABM Tajul Islam’s involvement in the gold crests scam.

The crests were however given to the foreign nationals for their contribution to the War of Liberation in 1971.

But, the committee referred to take action against Liberation War Affairs ministry secretary KH Masud Siddique, joint-secretary M Abul Kashem Talukdar, deputy secretary and National Committee member secretary SM Enamul Kabir and acting administrative officer (section assistant) Abul Kashem for irregularities.

On the other hand, Liberation War Affairs standing committee decided to send the report to the ministry without further discussion.

The decision came from a committee meeting, chaired by Tazul Islam, in the Parliament on Thursday.

Liberation War Affairs minister AKM Mozammel Haque, Nurunnabi Chowdhury and Qamrul Laila Joly, among others, were present at the meeting.

Standing Committee sources said a sub-committee was also formed on April 24 in 2014 to investigate the matter.

After a year, the sub-committee submitted the report on May 24 and without any discussion it was sent to the ministry.

Last year, the cabinet division, liberation war affairs ministry and foreign affairs ministry arranged the reception and honor giving ceremony to the foreign nationals.

Later, BSTI experiment proved that the gold used in the crests that were awarded to foreign friends, including statespersons, politicians, philosophers, intellectuals, noted citizens and organizations, on the eve of 40th anniversary of independence of the country, was of poor quality.

BDST: 2101 HRS, July 23, 2015
BD/RR