The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Thursday launched a formal investigation into graft allegations in purchasing safety equipment like N95 masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare professionals.

In this regard, the commission formed a four member investigation team led by its Director Mir Mohammad Zainul Abedin Shebly on June 15, according to the public relations department of ACC.

Other members of the team include Deputy Director Nurul Huda, assistant directors Md Saiduzzaman and Ataur Rahman.

Commenting on the investigation, ACC Chairman Iqbal Mahmood said the people who are involved in corruption and irregularities in procurement of health safety equipment like masks and PPE must be held accountable for their role.

He said, "Masks and PPE are very crucial equipment to ensure safety of life of the health workers who are in the frontline to fight coronavirus."

"So the people who are involved in graft in procuring health safety materials will be brought under the rule of law and they would be made accountable for their irregularities," he said.

The potential graft on procurement of N95 masks and PPE came to limelight when Central Medical Stores Department (CMSD) delivered usual surgical masks in the box labelled as N95 masks to two hospitals - Khulna Medical College Hospital and Mugda Medical College Hospital.

JMI Group supplied those medical products to the government though CMSD.

CMSD claimed that they did not give work order for N95 masks to the supplier.

Meanwhile on Wednesday evening, the national anti-graft agency issued travel ban on wife, daughter, and sister-in law of member of the parliament Shahid Islam Papul from Laxmipur-2 constituency.

The commission has asked immigration department to take necessary steps to prevent Papul's wife Selina Islam, daughter Kazi Wafa Islam, and sister-in-law Jasmin Prodhan from going abroad.

Selina Islam is also a lawmaker in the parliament from a reserve seat.