ACC pledges more transparency

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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided to take statements of the accused during enquiry or investigation from now onwards to ensure transparency in its work.

The anti-graft watchdog will also consider bringing changes in its work pattern if it feels necessary to achieve its goal.

ACC Director General (Administration) Col Hanif Iqbal said according to the ACC Act it is not a must to take the statement of an accused during enquiry or investigation–the commission may take it if it feels necessary.

“But now we have made it obligatory as the accused has the right to defend themselves regardless of the charges brought against them,” Hanif said at a press briefing at the ACC headquarters yesterday.

“From now on the report of an enquiry or investigation will also include the statement of an accused. We have instructed our investigation officers accordingly to ensure transparency in the commission’s work,” he added.

The decision came at a time when a few of the ACC decisions, allegedly taken without following the ACC rules properly, are facing legal complexities.

“If the court acquits a suspect of the charges brought against them, the ACC will take into consideration bringing correction in its work in light of the verdict,” Hanif said.

The ACC took these decisions following Wednesday’s High Court order that declared issuance of the ACC notice to former premier Sheikh Hasina asking her to submit wealth statement illegal. The notice was issued without going through proper procedures, the court said.

The ACC director general said the ACC is carrying out its job according to the rules or its jurisdiction and still there are scopes for modification if there is any fault.

The ACC has so far served notices upon over 200 people asking them to submit wealth statements and investigations into many such cases were conducted without taking statements of the accused. In some cases, the ACC even issued notices against the graft suspects without conducting any enquiry.

The commission also decided to inform a suspect whether the allegations against them are proved or not.

Hanif said the commission unanimously decided to pursue legal steps or procedures until a case is settled in the highest court. Maintaining all legal procedures properly before handing over a suspect to the law is part of creating an atmosphere free of graft, he added.

The ACC meanwhile filed a case yesterday against Dipu Chowdhury, son of former state minister and Awami League leader Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya. Dipu was shown absconding in the case.

ACC Assistant Director Mohammad Ibrahim filed the case with Sutrapur Police Station as Dipu failed to submit his wealth statement in seven days as directed by an ACC notice served on him on September 27.

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