The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The government has asked the Anti-Corruption Commission to provide a list of individuals who have so far been convicted by trial courts in the corruption cases filed by the Commission.

"The government yesterday sought a list of convicted individuals from the Commission. I don't know whether it's for election purpose or for anything else. It appears that the government will do something with it," said ACC Director General (admin) Col Hanif Iqbal while briefing journalists.

He said the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on Serious Crimes asked the Commission for the list of graft convicts.

Replying to a question, the ACC spokesman said the list is ready and it will be sent to the government.

More than 100 politicians, businessmen, bureaucrats and trade union leaders have so far been convicted in 90 graft cases filed by the reconstituted ACC.

Col Hanif hinted that the list is likely to be sent next week after the return of the ACC Chairman to Dhaka from Barisal.

On participation in the forthcoming polls by those convicted in trial courts, he said the issue of eligibility of convicts to take part in the elections would be settled either by the government or the Election Commission or the court.

He mentioned that as per section 11(5) of the Emergency Power Rules-2007 that says those convicted during the state of emergency in the trial court for corruption cannot participate in the elections.

The ACC Director General also referred Article 66(2) of the Constitution that says a person imprisoned for two years or more would be ineligible to participate in elections for five years.

About the cases stayed by the High Court, he said some cases have already been placed in the cause list for hearing, while measures are being taken to hold their hearings on priority basis.

Referring to three division benches stipulated by the Chief Justice to hear the ACC cases, Hanif Iqbal said the cases that have been stayed would be disposed of soon.

Asked about dealing with the cases at the Appellate Division since the ACC cannot be a party there, he said the legal efforts have already begun and it would be continued.

Replying to another question, he said measures would also be taken against the lawyers who would not protect the interest of the Commission.

He said the ACC yesterday sent the applications of 38 individuals to the Truth and Accountability Commission (TAC) for considering their clemency pleas, taking the total number to 128.

Col Hanif informed that the Commission has approved the filing of a case against former MP Dhirendra Nath Saha for having ill-gotten money and hiding information about it.

He said that the ACC was taking initiatives to activate the corruption cases now stalled due to high court orders.