Repeated graft allegations against ACC officials raise concerns
The shocking revelation that corruption within our national graft watchdog, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), has reached a critical point is profoundly alarming. As reported in this newspaper, six top officials were dismissed this year alone, and two former chiefs of the commission are currently under investigation. The report further noted that over the past 17 years, 245 ACC officials have faced disciplinary actions for bribery, unethical gains, and direct involvement in corruption. Their penalties, ranging from salary cuts to dismissals, have been limited to internal action, with no criminal prosecution in sight.
These developments demonstrate that the institution's internal disciplinary mechanisms have failed and can no longer be allowed to operate in their current form. Yet the current chairman, Mohammad Abdul Momen, insists that the ACC takes immediate action whenever allegations arise, an assertion that belies deep-rooted inertia or unwillingness to adopt meaningful reforms. The ACC's continued reliance on internal monitoring and disciplinary processes is destined to be ineffective as internal investigations lack the independence of external oversight bodies, leaving them vulnerable to bias and inadequate scrutiny. The commission must therefore adopt the reforms recommended by the ACC Reform Commission.
It is worth recalling that the reform commission proposed establishing an oversight mechanism through a high-powered task force composed of representatives from intelligence and investigative agencies. This task force would be responsible for identifying corrupt officials and pursuing both disciplinary and criminal proceedings against them. The commission also recommended dissolving the ACC's internal anti-corruption committee and replacing it with an independent disciplinary division consisting of ACC personnel and individuals appointed on deputation from defence, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies.
This division would enforce the code of conduct, run covert investigations and counter-intelligence operations, review asset declarations, and impose punitive measures. Although asset declarations are mandatory under the ACC (Employees) Service Rules, 2008, the integrity of the verification process remains highly questionable to this day.
It bears recalling that the ACC reform proposals have received overwhelming support from political parties across the spectrum, signalling a strong desire for institutional transformation in the post-autocratic transition to democracy. The July National Charter, too, commits to reforming the ACC by ensuring its independence and effectiveness. Nothing, therefore, should be allowed to stand in the way. We echo the frustration voiced by anti-corruption advocates, including the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), who rightly argued that departmental actions such as dismissal are far from sufficient. Every corrupt official must face prosecution, and the proceeds of their crimes—their illicit wealth—must be confiscated.
