DHAKA: If any official of Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) found involved in corruption, he will be dealt with ‘zero tolerance’.
During an exclusive interview with Banglanews ACC chairman M Badiuzzaman expressed his firm position against corruption in this language.
Meanwhile two officers were sacked followed by next steps to be taken against them.
He also expressed that the absence of political consensus against corruption is a big hindrance to prevent corruption.
During the interview different topics came up for discussion along with his opinion. The functions of ACC, its planning, success, failures were told by M Badiuzzaman to Banglanews special correspondent Jahidur Rahman.
banglanews24.com: I welcome you to Banglanews. 
ACC chairman: I also welcome you.
banglanews24.com: It is told that ACC is independent but how much it is independent and what are its weaknesses?
ACC chairman: ACC is working independently. But our main hurdle is lack of political will. The political parties have no intention to remove corruption even there no consensus among them.
banglanews24.com: However before election the political parties in their election manifesto expressed firm commitments for resisting corruptions.
ACC chairman: Had the parties worked as per their commitments then it would be easier for us to work in this field. But we do not see any translation of their commitments and even no intention at all.
banglanews24.com: Is there any other problem or weakness?
ACC chairman: Another problem we face is the legal aspect. In most cases the corruption riddled parties in the event of investigation and serving notice they approached the Higher courts and get injunction in the further process. This is another great hurdle for us.
banglanews24.com: In these cases your lawyers can play a role.
ACC chairman: We don’t have leading lawyers rather they always take side of the corrupt people. We cannot maintain leading lawyers due fund shortage.
banglanews24.com: Did you ever talked with the leading lawyers regarding this?
ACC chairman: Certainly. But recently we found that our enlisted lawyers do not work for us. So we cannot allow them to continue with us who will not fight for us.
banglanews24.com: Any other problem?
ACC chairman: Manpower shortage is another problem. We cannot cope with the huge task vested on us with our limited manpower.
banglanews24.com: Earlier you raised objection about the amended law of ACC. 
ACC chairman: The amended law of ACC was conflicting with the constitution. Clause 27 of the constitution describes the equal rights of man in the eye of law. Besides, the article 24 of ACC law also tells the equality of every citizen in the eye of law and ACC can work independently. But in the EPR 197 of the amended law says that if there is any investigation against a government official is to carry then the permission of the government will have to be obtained which is conflicting with the constitution. But it is a matter of hope that, that section was cancelled by the higher court. The complexities created with the tax department have reduced regarding amassing illegal wealth.
banglanews24.com: What is the difference between mode of your functioning between the 1/11 government and the present time?
ACC chairman: At that time the fundamental rights of the people were suspended. But now whenever you proceed against some influential people they will bring injunctions from the higher courts. So now this is a problem.
banglanews24.com: As chairman which of your work you perceived as success?
ACC chairman: There is nothing a big success. Any way I must mention the investigation and charge sheet submitted against the Hallmark group. Another is the case of Destiny where we are investigating though there are many influential people.
banglanews24.com: Any frustration?
ACC chairman: No. There is no deep frustration. However we would work better if we get cooperation of all.
banglanews24.com: Have you no frustration as many big fishes are still out of net!
ACC chairman: Definitely there is some frustration. But for the first time we have started work against the ruling party men which never took place in the past. And we will be successful, I do hope.
banglanews24.com: TIB told that you are dysfunctional about commissioning and preventing corruptions. If you become dysfunctional then who will check corruption?
ACC Chairman: It is their one sided comment. We must keep in mind that to work in an undemocratic atmosphere is different from a democratic atmosphere.
banglanews24.com: The comments of TIB have definitely tarnished your image and help losing the credibility of your institution. Have you given any institutional reply to TIB?
ACC Chairman: No, we did not want to make quarrel with them.
banglanews24.com: In your impression do you feel any pressure under democratic government?
ACC Chairman: No, we did not feel pressure from the government. As we are proceeding with the declarations made to the Election Commission by the ruling party men.
banglanews24.com: Dealing with the corruptions how far your own people get involved in corruptions? Is there any transparency or monitoring system?
ACC Chairman: We are very much alert about that. There is a monitoring system of the Investigating officers. There is an evaluation committee headed by me including one director and one deputy director.
banglanews24.com: On charge of corruptions two officers of ACC have been sent to forced retirement. Is retirement enough for corruption?
ACC Chairman: In the current month Md. Ahsan Ali and Shafikul Islam, two deputy directors of ACC have been sent to forced retirement and next steps against them are underway so that others can be alert.
banglanews24.com: How far you have proceeded against the three former RAB officials now detained on charge of seven murders in Narayanganj?
ACC Chairman: We have seen in the media that there was payment of Taka six crore for the murder. We have decided to investigate the matter. As they are now in police custody we could not serve notice for the purpose. However the primary investigations revealed that there was no payment regarding the matter. Nothing doubtful was found in the bank transactions.
banglanews24.com: What is plan with ACC?
ACC Chairman: We will proceed to prevent corruptions side by side resisting the curse of corruption. We will try to create awareness among the people about corruption.
banglanews24.com: Thank you very much.
ACC Chairman: Thank you also.
BDST: 1730 HRS, MAY 25, 2014
