The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Truth and Accountability Commission chairman Justice Habibur Rahman Khan yesterday said the activities of his Commission would remain stopped following Thursday's High Court order declaring it illegal.

"As per the judgment, the Commission's activities will have to remain stopped," he told UNB over phone.

Asked if he and other members would attend office today(Sunday) Justice Khan said, "It hasn't been decided yet. After evening, I'll sit with two other members to decide whether we'll go today or at all we'll go there."

"There is much possibility of not going to office tomorrow," he said, adding, "Even if we go we'll definitely not work."

About the deadline for filing clemency application which expires tomorrow, the Tac chairman said, "That doesn't stand anymore."

Asked if anyone comes to apply for clemency, he said no application would be accepted.

Replying to a question, Justice Khan said the office of the

Commission would remain open tomorrow and other staff would attend office. "An office can't remain closed like this."

He also said he did not yet see the judgment and there has been no communication with him in this regard. "Therefore, it's not possible for me to say in details."

Responding to a query, the former High Court judge said it is up to the government to decide if an appeal would be lodged against the verdict.

The three-member Tac was set up through an ordinance on August 3 when it's chairman Justice Khan and members Asif Ali and Maj Gen (retd) Manjur Rashid took office.

As of Wednesday (Nov 12), some 389 individuals have applied for clemency in return for their ill-gotten wealth. Of them, 20 have applied directly, 192 applications through the Anti-Corruption Commission, 167 through the National Coordination Committee on serious crime and corruption and 10 through courts.

Among 389 applicants, there are two politicians, 28 businessmen, 303 government servants, wives of 39 of them and 17 belonging to other professionals.

Since September 1, the hearing of 259 individuals has been completed and they have pledged to return Tk 27.79 crore.

An amount of Tk 14.46 crore has already been deposited with the government treasury by 154 individuals. Mercy certificates have been distributed among 65 individuals while another 40 are ready for distribution.

The tenure of the Truth and Accountability Commission expires on January 2, 2009.