On the arrest of Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina, Mainul at a press briefing at the law ministry said, "The caretaker government is committed to establishing honest politics. Since cases filed in connection with minor corruption are being tried, why people with allegations of major corruption be left out?"

However, Mainul kept mum when asked why the big fish of Jamaat with extortion charges remain at large.

Mainul said Hasina was arrested with a view to framing the charge sheet as soon as possible in the extortion case. He said Hasina is accused in 13 other cases but she was arrested in the extortion case.

On the government's position, he said the government has done nothing due to hostility towards any person and emphatically said anyone accused of corruption would be tried.

Mainul told the reporters that Hasina was arrested following an investigation and the investigation work is almost finished.

"The policy of the government is not to arrest anybody, especially the female leaders, before investigation and in this case the investigation work is almost complete," Mainul said.

He said according to the law, prior to submitting the charge sheet one has to be shown arrested or absconding and since it was not possible to show Hasina absconding, she was arrested.

Azam J Chowdhury, managing director East Coast Trading Ltd, filed the extortion case against Hasina with Gulshan Police Station.

Maniul said plaintiff Azam said Hasina and her cousin Sheikh Selim extorted Tk 2.9962 crore threatening to stop the 210 megawatt Shiddhirganj Power Plant. The money was allegedly given to them in eight cheques.

Replying to a question whether the government was trying to make room for the reformists in the AL or trying to alienate Hasina from politics, Mainul said, "The political leaders can say whatever they like, but this government has no political aspiration. All are equal before law."

He said the case was brought under Emergency Power Rules 2007 and she will be released if the allegation brought against her is not proved. The government would not intervene in the judicial process.

When asked if BNP chief Khaleda Zia would be arrested, Mainul said it would not be wise to speculate. Anybody accused of corruption would be tried, he added.

UNB reports: Finance Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam said he thinks the arrest of top leaders of political parties would not cause any adverse impact on the country's economy as the economic indicators are working well.