Ruling Bangladesh Awami League general secretary and the Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Monday said names of the patrons, if there is any, of expelled Jubo Mohila League leader Shamima Nur Papia will be revealed after investigation.
None will be spared if he or she commits crime, the minister said while responding to journalists at his secretariat office in the city.
The minister said that the government has taken a zero tolerance policy against any crime and that is why law enforcers are taking action against criminals.
According to Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Papia – aided by her husband Mofizur Rahman Sumon – had been running sex trade and arms rackets.
The couple was arrested from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday. Later, Papia was expelled from Jubo Mohila League after her arrest for reported links to sex trade in luxurious hotel suits.
Quader said, “Meanwhile, Papia has been expelled from [the associate organisation of] the party. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is following zero tolerance policy for all criminals.”
Responding to a query on failure to arrest Papia during the recent crackdown, he said, “Papia would still be roaming free if we weren’t sticking to the zero tolerance policy.”
Mentioning the 20 years when AL was out of power, he said, “None can draw an example from that time that ruling party’s any top leader was arrested for criminal activities.”
He blamed the past governments’ “weakness and negligence” for the criminals going scot-free.
Claiming the current government was exceptional in this regard, he said, “The law enforcement agencies are asked to take action irrespective of party affiliation.” “So, the law enforcers are acting from neutral position,” he added.
