THE Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday suspended one of its directors for allegedly leaking information about its investigation beforehand and also having nexus with the accused. The suspended official was recently promoted as director. In May last year, the ACC also dismissed one of its assistant directors and suspended another for negligence in investigation and abuse of power. At that time, in a corruption case filed with the Khulna District Office, the accused officer hid the file without submitting a chargesheet to the court for more than one year. He was finally dismissed from job. On the other hand, the suspended Assistant Director of Dinajpur office had spent more than one year in an investigation of a bank’s loan fraud case.
The allegations of corruption and abuse of power against a section of ACC officials is nothing new. It’s very unfortunate that the anti-graft body itself cannot ensure a corruption-free administration. National Board of Revenue Chairman in November last year openly said that various types of corruption of the ACC could be found if anyone looks into its affairs neutrally. It’s a matter of concern that ACC has lost its trustworthiness among the common people. Question may rise where the general people will go.
ACC usually takes action against the small fries. None of the big fishes was seen to face trial in corruption cases till the date. Besides, an existing law makes it mandatory for ACC to secure prior permission from the authorities concerned before filing any case against public servants including judges and magistrates for their alleged corruption. As per the law, the courts cannot take into cognizance allegations against such individuals without prior approval from the authorities. So it’s clear that, the ACC has been kept in a tight state. However, ACC Chairman has stressed the need for procedural changes in moral aspects to stop corruption. If he is sincere enough to curve the corruption in his own organisation, he could take step for submitting annual financial statement by all ACC officers on official website.
Corruption is big problem in the developing countries, like Bangladesh. The government has declared crusade against the corruption. ACC must play a vital role in cleansing the state.
