Dhaka: Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission Golam Rahman on Sunday said the graft watchdog will prepare a fair and full probe report on the Padma Bridge graft probe defying all sort of pressures.

 “There’re various speculations about the ACC… and the commission is under serious psychological pressure. But all those pressures, won’t bring any benefit. We’ll work as per law of the land,” he told reporters at the ACC head office here in the afternoon.

When asked about the World Bank’s statement on the Padma Bridge project, Golam Rahman said the ACC inquiry team has already submitted its draft report to the Commission and after preparing a fair and complete report by reviewing the draft report, the ACC will take legal actions.

In a statement on Saturday, World Bank country director Ellen Goldstein said the global lender will proceed with support for the Padma Bridge funding only if the ACC launches a full and fair investigation based on evidence of corruption under the project.

She said the World Bank provided extensive information to the ACC to support such an investigation. Following its first visit to Bangladesh, the External Panel of independent anti-corruption experts encouraged the ACC to launch a full and fair investigation based on available evidence and in full accordance with Bangladesh law.

 “During its second visit to Bangladesh last week, the Panel noted several unresolved issues and further encouraged the ACC to follow available evidence in determining the scope of its investigation. The panel will issue a statement when the ACC completes its review and takes a final decision on the scope of the investigation,” said Ellen Goldstein.

Replying to a question, the ACC chairman said the external panel of the World Bank has already provided some information on Padma graft to the Commission and it will help the ACC prepare a fair and complete probe report.

 “Considering the circumstances of the corruption evidence, the Commission will take legal action against the graft suspects who will be found guilty of graft in the project,” he said.

Ends/AMA/09/12/12