April 03, 2008	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 25, 1429

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s army-backed interim government on Wednesday charged the mayor of the capital Dhaka for corruption, police said, in the latest case against a public figure.

The Anti Corruption Commission filed the charges against Sadek Hossain Khoka, who is also a leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, for amassing wealth worth 175 million taka ($2.55m), beyond his known source of income.

Khoka said he was innocent and vowed to fight the case against him. His wife, daughter and son were also implicated as helping him accumulate wealth.

Former prime minister and head of the BNP, Begum Khaleda Zia, is herself under detention facing charges of corruption.

“We have registered the case today and will seek approval of the higher authorities to act according to the law,” an inspector at Dhaka police station told reporters where the case against Khoka was filed.—Reuters