Court finds no proof of Padma Bridge bribery

Staff Correspondent:A Toronto court has cleared two former officials of SNC-Lavalin and a businessman of the charge of planning to bribe Bangladeshi officials to secure the Padma Bridge contract.

Justice Ian Nordheimer of the Ontario Superior Court has thrown out wiretap evidence that formed the basis of the prosecution's case, saying it was based on gossip and rumour, reports the Toronto Star.

The three acquitted in the judgment are former SNC vice-president of energy and infrastructure Kevin Wallace, former SNC vice-president of international development Ramesh Shah and Bangladeshi-Canadian businessman Zulfiquar Ali Bhuiyan.

The judge's decision taken in January was subject to a publication ban until Friday, the famous newspaper said.

The charges against two other accused in the case – Mohammad Ismail and Abdul Hasan Chowdhury – had been dismissed earlier.

Bangladesh also found no evidence of suspected corruption in the project.

The World Bank alleged corruption in Padma Bridge project and started investigation in 2010.

The World Bank withdrew the funds it had promised for the Padma Bridge project following the alleged corruption.

Bangladesh is now building the bridge with its own money. A Chinese firm has been tasked with the construction of the bridge.