B'desh govt probe targets President's wife

Dhaka, July 24 (PTI) Bangladesh's interim government has ordered an investigation into the leasing out of a canal to a school run by President Iajuddin Ahmed's wife in allegedviolation of rules.

Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed asked the land ministry to immediately send him the details about leasing out of the canal to British Colombia School President Dr. Anwara Begum, wife of President Iajuddin Ahmed, officials were quoted assaying by The Daily Star.

They said in line with the directive, the ministry on Tuesday prepared the report which will be submitted to theinterim government.

The military-backed government has arrested over 150 high-profile people, mostly politicians and businessmen, undera major anti-graft drive since last year.

The officials said a simultaneous process was underway to scrap the lease of the canal at Ramchandrapur of Mohammadpur in the capital to Anwara Begum, a former professorof Zoology of Dhaka University.

"Punitive measures will also be taken against the government officials involved in the leasing process," the official of the chief adviser's office who wished to remainunnamed said.

The action came two days after a newspaper reported that a canal was leased out to Begum in violation of rules, soon after her husband President Iajuddin Ahmed assumed the office of the chief adviser following the resignation of thenprime minister Khaleda Zia in 2006 on completion of her term.

He handed over the charge to Fakhruddin Ahmed after promulgating of the state of emergency on January 11, 2007 andscrapped the general election due later that month.

The government has now promised to hold generalelections in December.