The ministers for relief and disaster management and food should resign willingly over the corruption allegations, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said today.

If Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya and Food Minister Quamrul Islam resign, it will set an example, the TIB chief said at a press briefing at its Dhanmondi office.

He was addressing the briefing on a survey report titled “Youths' perception of honesty”, reports Bangla daily Prothom Alo.

Iftekharuzzaman termed the allegation against Maya a sub-judice matter and said it is under investigation. “But we can say, it will be better if he resigns. It will set an example,” he added.

On June 14, the Supreme Court cancelled a High Court verdict that acquitted Maya in a graft case of 2007.

A special court on February 14, 2008, handed Maya 13 years in prison and Tk 5 crore in fine for amassing illegal property.

The TIB executive director further said similar allegations have been brought against Qamrul following the import of “substandard wheat”. So, he should resign also, he said. 

If the accusations were proven false after the investigation, then their popularity would increase even more, he added.