The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Lt Gen (retd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury yesterday said the ACC would have no disagreement if the government wants to form a Truth Commission, but he felt that no one should be given any special privilege.

"We do know what proposals there are. We've made a draft of our statements and we'll send it to the appropriate authority. Our main statement will be that no special group should be given any special privilege and that has to be ensured through a legal process," the ACC chairman told his monthly briefing.

"Anyway…If the government thinks it's necessary to form the Truth Commission, we'll have no disagreement with that (move)," he said.

The anti-graft watchdog received the draft proposal of the proposed Truth Commission in early March and since then it has been thoroughly examining the nitty-gritty of the proposal in light with the ACC's laws and its ongoing activities.

Replying to a question, Mashhud said there would be no chance for the ACC and the Truth Commission to deal with the same person.

Sought comments on the allegations made by BNP leaders that the ACC is being politically used, he said in the last one year the ACC proved that it is not being politically used. "We've been able to maintain transparency and are not influenced by anybody."About the controversy over the appointments to the reconstituted Commission, including his own appointment and two other Commissioners, he said this is being done with a special purpose and they have been assured by the concerned authorities that the proper process has been followed. "It's not for us to see how we were appointed, I don't think any government does this kind of thing leaving any gap."

About the criticism for holding anti-corruption rallies and processions under the state of emergency, he said all these have been done with the government's permission. "I don't think it's a special concession."

Asked about the possibility of announcing any new list of corrupt suspects, the ACC chairman said the Commission is not considering publishing any list right at the moment.

Responding to a question about corruption in allocation of plots in 'Media Village', he said in the future he would like to look into this, but it is not under consideration at this moment.

In reply to a question about looking into corruption by the Bangladesh Army, the former Army chief there has been no specific allegation of corruption against the Army personnel.

When reminded about some complaints made to the ACC by members of the public, he said to his knowledge there is only one such complaint and the Commission would find it out how it would be dealt with - whether as per the military rules or civil law.

"If it falls within the civil law, then the Commission (itself) would deal with it, if it falls under the military law, the Army headquarters and the Army chief would be informed about that," he told the journalists.

In his opening remarks at the briefing, the ACC chairman said the Commission is trying to take forward with new vigour the cases stalled due to writs and stays.

Providing statistics, he said so far there have been 41 verdicts in the cases filed by the Commission and some 60 cases are now in courts.

The works on 22 charge sheets are going on, Mashhud said, adding that the reconstituted Commission has so far filed 174 cases- investigations into 90 cases are on while 90 cases are under inquiry.

Describing the Commission's corruption prevention activities like rallies and processions, he said within a few days there would be some limited preventive activities at the upazila-level too. "There would be some activities like debates, open discussions and extempore speeches for college students."

The ACC chairman said it was supposed to be finalised in today's (Thursday's) meeting between the ACC and Public Service Commission that recruitment would be made as per the ACC's new organogram. "If the PSC agrees, we'll be able to recruit people and we'll be able to increase the volume of our works."

He said the way the Commission is moving forward it would make a satisfactory progress, if there is no unforeseen obstacle.

Asked what obstacles he apprehends, Mashhud mentioned things like organisational and financial independence of the Commission.