EDITORIAL
Hall-Mark probe report not to be made public
We strongly oppose the decision
AFTER an exhaustive three-year probe by the Parliamentary Committee on Finance into the Hall-Mark group financial scam that involved siphoning off an estimated Tk2,668crore from Sonali Bank, the report may now never see light of day. Apparently the finance ministry-related parliamentary committee is of the opinion that since its findings are identical to that of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigating Hall-Mark scam, there is no need to disclose the findings for public scrutiny.
We strongly disagree with the decision and condemn such mentality. Regardless of what the committee or for that matter, the ministry of finance may think or believe the Hall-Mark saga was by far the single largest financial scandal involving a State-owned bank in the history of Bangladesh. Following the public outcry and subsequent investigations by various bodies including the central bank, attempts were made to track down the missing billions. It is ironic that investigations found trace of a mere Tk200-300cr and the paper trail went cold on the bulk of siphoned cash.
This money is public money, and the public has every right to know what is in the parliamentary committee probe report and who the real culprits behind this scam were. If indeed the probe committee's findings are the same as that of ACC's, there ought to be no problem disclosing the facts. Until we are willing to break this despicable culture of sweeping under the carpet public inquiry reports, such scams will continue to occur. We earnestly hope the powers-that-be will display some moral courage and break out of the tradition of secrecy to instil transparency in governance and restore public faith in the system.
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