Dhaka: The Anti-Corruption Commission has formally launched a probe into the alleged swindling of Tk 116 crore from the Padma Bridge project by a consulting  firm without finalising its design.

The graft watchdog formed a four-member inquiry team on Tuesday to probe the alleged irregularities.

The team members are deputy directors of the ACC Mir Zainul Abedin Shebly, Abdullah Al Zahid, Golam Shahriar Chowdhury and Mirza Zahidul Islam, ACC Public Relations officer Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya told UNB.

ACC sources said New Zealand-based consulting firm Maunsell AECOM Ltd in collaboration with then project director of the Padma Bridge project Rafiqul Islam and other officials plundered about Tk 116 crore without finalising its design.

On January 3, the ACC gave approval for carrying out the probe into the alleged misappropriation in the project.

Ends/AMA/22/01/13