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Download PDF The government has asked the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for opinion on the proposed Truth Commission.
The ACC received a dossier from the government on formation of the much talked about body Sunday, ACC Director General Col Hanif Iqbal told The Daily Star.
Earlier the same day a high-level meeting of the caretaker administration approved in principle the proposal to form a Truth and Accountability Commission.
The anti-graft body will place its recommendations and comments on the matter to an “appropriate authority” at an “appropriate time”, Col Hanif observed.
Addressing a routine press briefing yesterday, he said they are examining the proposal in the light of existing laws, rules and functions.
He however declined to elaborate on the content of the draft proposal.
Asked about the fate of the graft cases already disposed of and those being tried, Hanif said the ACC would make its recommendations after scrutinising every aspect of the proposal.
According to different sources, the idea of forming a Truth Commission was bounced last year by the National Coordination Committee to Combat Corruption and Serious Crimes.
It came as an alternative way to deal with graft cases and suspects. It would provide an opportunity for the corrupt individuals to admit their offence and be penalised monetarily instead of facing a prolonged legal process and conviction by courts, added the sources.
There has been a lot of discussion about the implications of forming a Truth Commission.
ACC Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury told reporters in November that the Truth Commission would not be functional and have no legal acceptability and credibility if formed to assist a specified group of people.
He however expressed hope that the government would not do anything of that sort.
Meanwhile, no-one could confirm how long it might take to set up the commission.
“We have not been given any time limit to send our recommendations and comments,” said an ACC source.
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