The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

A frustrated Truth and Accountability Commission (TAC) has once again extended the deadline for clemency submissions, as corrupt politicians and business barons, for whom it was all meant, are yet to appear before it to confess.

Expressing deep frustration over not receiving clemency applications from big wigs, TAC Chairman Justice Habibur Rahman Khan yesterday said, "We hoped to deal with lots of cases. But that did not happen."

"Under the circumstances, the deadline for submitting applications has been extended until October 30," he said. This will be a second extension. The deadline was initially set September 1. Later, it was extended to September 30.

All but few of 252 applications received by TAC so far have been referred by the Anti-Corruption Commission and the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on serious crime and corruption.

Among the clemency-seekers, 10 applied directly, 73 cases have been referred by the ACC, 166 by the NCC and 3 by the courts.

Of them, 218 are government servants, wives of 19 of them, 8 businessmen and seven other professionals.

"Most of the applications received so far are from meter readers, supervisors or accountants…Where are the big rui-katlas (big officials)," the TAC Chairman told journalists at his weekly briefing.

"Have the top-level officials not committed corruption? Are they all Mr Clean?" he added.

He asked journalists to find out whether the investigating agencies like ACC and NCC have inquiries, investigations and cases pending against corrupt government high officials. "You will have to find out if high officials are involved in corruption and whether they have been taken to task for that."

He said that some of the people who had been sent to the Commission were very sick. "They have a very few properties. But they have been enlisted anyhow," he added.

"Under certain compelling circumstances four applicants have been relieved of any charge by the Commission," Justice Khan said. Documents of two cases have been sent back to NCC as clemency was not sought.

He said, "Rui-Katlas (big fishes) run away by tearing off the net while little ones get stuck in the net."

In 17 working days since September 1, TAC completed hearings of 103 persons of whom 57 have pledged to submit their ill-gotten money to the tune of Tk 16.44 crore to the state coffers. In return for clemency, 25 people have so far submitted Tk 8 crore.

Asked why so little money has been pledged by 103 individuals, TAC Member Maj Gen (retd) Manjur Rashid said, "So little money has been pledged because they are small fry."

"We have not yet found any kotipoti (millionaire) from Titas," he replied to another query.

The Commission would start issuing 'Mercy Certificates' from today among those who have already deposited their ill-gotten money with the exchequer.

"Only 103 cases could not be disposed of in 17 working days. If nobody else comes or the Anticorruption Commission or any other organisation does not send files, the commission will be able to finish its tasks within the timeframe," the TAC chairman said.