Staff Reporter :Terming the Anti-Corruption Commission’s investigation and prosecution as ‘weak’, former Chief Justice and Law Commission Chairman ABM Khairul Haque has said that its officials and lawyers should be more cautious and dutiful to confirm ‘apparent punishment’ against corrupts.Otherwise, the country’s people will lose their hearts on the Commission, he said this at a programme arranged on the occasion of the ‘International Anti-Corruption Day-2014’ by the ACC at the Shilpakala Academy in the city on Tuesday.ACC’s Acting Chairman Md Shahabuddin Chuppu, Commissioner Dr Nasir Uddin Ahmed and director generals, among others, spoke on the occasion. Commission Secretary Md Maksudul Hasan Khan was in the chair.Khairul Haque, speaking as the chief guest, advised the Commission not to ‘fear’ or be ‘angry’ about criticisms. “If needed, send the critics letters asking them for proper documents. They (critics) will feel embarrassed failing to submit the information,” he went on saying.Talking on the punishment rate, the former chief justice said, our country is ranking the lowest so far the punishment rate is concerned. The accused are awarded with penalties for 10 to 12 per cent cases only, which proves that the country is yet to corroborate ‘justice’ properly. About enactment of law, he said, there are about 1,000 kinds of law in our country.The law, he said, is enacted and amended following personal interest in many cases.Khairul Haque also criticised the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) saying that it thinks itself as an international standard organisation but it makes its investigation reports on the basis of ‘idea’.He exemplified that in 2010, when he was chief justice, this organisation disclosed a study report terming the Justice Division as the highest ‘corrupted sector’. “As a practising lawyer and chief justice, I had also knowledge that the graft might take place in the Justice Division. I, perusing the report, formed a probe team”.When I asked for credible documents from the organisation, it could not serve those, he said, adding, “TIB told me that it made the study report as per idea”.ACC Commissioner and Acting Chairman Shahabuddin Chuppu, speaking on the occasion, alleged that the TIB is working for particular groups to implement their blue prints or special agenda. “The TIB in its recent report stated that the country had worsened in the anti-graft index. But 2013-14 was our achievement years,” he said. “What the TIB sent to its headquarters, the head office discloses those. Actually, the TIB sent negative information from here. So, the report is motivated one,” he claimed. “We have success in all the sectors in combating corruption. But the organisation was not saying those,” he said, adding: “You (TIB men) come to us.” He also urged the TIB for constructive criticism. To BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, Chuppu said that you (Khaleda Zia) are criticising the ACC, saying it releases ruling men from graft complaints. But you never say that you were also relieved from a graft case filed in connection with Bhairab Bridge scam. “The ACC takes any decision irrespective of any party affiliation and individuality,” he said.Earlier on that day, addressing a human chain programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, Chuppu said the Commission declared ‘jihad’ (vigorous campaign for a cause) against pervasive corruption in the country. “We announce our solidarity with the anti-corruption movement that continues globally…we have declared ‘jihad’ against corruption,” he said. The ACC organised the programme marking the ‘International Anti-Corruption Day 2014’.The commissioner said: “We’re committed to build Sonar Bangla – a country free from poverty and hunger. Corruption must be eliminated to build the country as Sonar Bangla, which will be free from poverty and hunger.”Before human chain, the Commission brought out a procession from the ACC head office at Segunbagicha. The ACC also arranged discussions, anti-corruption cultural programmes, screening of documentaries, and talk-shows on radio and TV channels marking the day.
