The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Most of the 209 individuals who have so far applied to the Truth and Accountability Commission (Tac) for clemency since its inception are government officials and employees.

Prior to and after Tac's formation, people were made to believe that the Commission was meant for corrupt politicians and businessmen. Tac secretary Khandaker M Asaduzzaman told the Commission's weekly briefing yesterday that some 209 corrupt individuals have so far applied to Tac seeking clemency in return for their ill-gotten wealth.

He said of them 191 applicants are government employees and officials, 13 are some of their wives, three businessmen and two belong to other professions.

No politician has approached Tac yet since its formation more than a month ago, he said.

Of the applicants, Asaduzzaman said, five individuals have applied directly, 153 through the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on serious crime and corruption and 51 through the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

He said prescribed forms have been distributed among 195 individuals of which 161 submitted the filled-in forms to the Commission. The Tac secretary said as of today the Commission heard the clemency pleas of 46 persons, including 6 today (Wednesday). Those whose pleas have been heard so far by Tac have pledged to pay about Tk 15 crore to the Exchequer in return for clemency, he added.

He said those whose clemency pleas have been accepted by Tac would be given minimum seven days to maximum 21 for depositing their ill-gotten wealth to the Bangladesh Bank.

The Tac secretary informed that the Commission has written to the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the ACC to reopen the frozen bank accounts of these clemency seekers to enable them to withdraw money to be deposited to the government treasury.

Asked whether any corrupt person has deposited his or her ill-gotten wealth yet to the government treasury, Asaduzzaman said depositing wealth began yesterday. "Many contacted Tac to know as to how the money would be deposited," he added.