The Anti-Corruption Commission has been in the spotlight recently as it is facing criticism not only from the apex court but also from its own boss.
The apex court last week showed its disappointment on the institution’s failure to investigate and negligence while ACC Chairman Iqbal Mahmud himself raised doubts on the intention and capacities of his officials.
It is a popular perception that the officials who are supposed to fight the social menace are actually patronising it.
Not buying the idea, the ACC officials defended their integrity by saying they have to work under pressure from different quarters including from the politicians.
“There is no example in the world where investigations are run before a case being filed. It tempts anti-graft officials to be corrupted and the criminals get escape through the procedure”, said an ACC official seeking anonymity.
The commission enjoys special power while conducting investigation under article 19 and 20 of the ACC Act 2004.
However, the ACC law requires investigations to be completed by 180 days but it couldn’t wrap up the 56 Basic Bank scam investigation involving Tk 35 billion in the last two and half years.
Recently, the apex court also expressed its grave disappointment citing the negligence and failure of the ACC officials.
On May 30, a High Court bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Sahidul Karim termed the activities of the ACC officials and legal counsels as shameful.
Being contacted, several high officials including ACC Secretary Samsul Arefin denied talking further to the media.
ACC spokesman Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya told Bangla Tribune that there was nothing to say on the investigation.
The legal advisor to the anti-graft body Khurshid Alam Khan said referring to the dilly-dallying, “I don’t see anything so. It may take time to compile a large scale of information and documents to formulate a case.”