In the past year, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has received more than 12,000 complaints. Of these, the Commission has decided to carry out inquiries into 1,063 complaints. During this period, 541 cases were lodged and charge sheets were submitted in 349 of them. Up to October, verdicts were delivered in 126 cases, and assets worth Tk321.84 crore were confiscated. Most of the accused in these corruption cases were beneficiaries of the previous government.
Following the change of power last year, the ACC began investigations with renewed vigour. Among those caught in the ACC’s net were nearly a hundred MPs, ministers and top leaders from the Awami League government.
Today, 9 December, International Anti-Corruption Day will be observed. The theme of the day is “Youth United Against Corruption: Building a Clean Future”. The ACC has made all necessary preparations to mark the day.
Akhtarul Islam, ACC Deputy Director (Public Relations), said that over the past year, 2,297 people have been accused in corruption cases. Charge sheets have been submitted against 1,203 of them. A total of 23 public hearings were held. The ACC carried out 864 drives in response to allegations of irregularities, bribery and corruption in various government, semi-government and autonomous bodies. Following these drives, 30 cases were filed.
ACC sources said that over the past 15 years, while influential figures from the ruling party repeatedly received exemptions, the Commission remained very strict in its inquiries and investigations against opposition politicians. In many instances, despite visible evidence, ACC officials claimed to have found no proof. Even when financial irregularities were evident in the affidavits submitted to the Election Commission, many were exempted on the grounds of “mistakes”. In the investigation into affidavits of the 9th National Parliament, the ACC accepted the explanation of “mistaken entry” and cleared former Health Minister AFM Ruhal Haque and MP Aslamul Haque of allegations. Although an inquiry officer had recommended filing charges against former Awami League MP Enamul Haque for concealing over Tk213 crore in assets and acquiring wealth beyond known sources of income, the then ACC granted him exemption.
Since the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August last year, complaints against the party’s leaders, activists and those linked with the administration have increased at the ACC. After the formation of the interim government, the Commission’s investigation activities gained momentum from 13 August. It is known that more than 3,500 ACC cases are currently pending in lower courts in Dhaka and outside the capital.
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
