In an unprecedented turn of events, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India on August 5 last year, amidst a surge of student and public protests. The departure, which saw Hasina fleeing with her younger sister Sheikh Rehana, has since unveiled a shocking narrative of rampant corruption involving Sheikh Hasina, her family members, ministers, state ministers, bureaucrats, and various professionals under the previous regime.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has been at the forefront of these revelations. From August 5 to January this year, a staggering 156 cases have been filed at the ACC's Integrated District Office in Dhaka against an array of high-profile individuals, including the former Prime Minister, her family members, ministers, state ministers, and bureaucrats.
The ACC Integrated District Office, Dhaka-1, has registered 155 cases, while an additional case was filed by the Integrated District Office, Dhaka-2. This brings the total number of cases to 156.
Md Akhtarul Islam, the ACC Deputy Director of Public Relations, disclosed to the Daily Observer that the commission has been inundated with complaints from multiple sources, including direct submissions, mailed complaints, and media reports. Upon discovering the initial veracity of these complaints, the ACC launches investigations. Only after thorough scrutiny cases are officially approved and filed.
Sources indicate that among the numerous allegations handled by the ACC since August 5, the most sensation involve the ousted PM Sheikh Hasina and her family. Accusations of amassing wealth, plots, and assets by exploiting political power have dominated the discourse.
On December 26, the ACC initiated an inquiry into the irregular allocation of six plots in the Purbachal New City project to Sheikh Hasina, her younger sister Sheikh Rehana, her son Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy, her daughter Saima Wazed Putul, her nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, and her niece Azmina Siddique. Subsequent investigations have led to formal cases being filed.
The crackdown extends beyond the former Prime Minister's family. The ACC has lodged numerous cases against several ministers, state ministers, MPs, bureaucrats, and other individuals and institutions. For instance, on January 1, the ACC filed a case against former law minister Anisul Huq, who faces charges of accumulating wealth totalling Tk 146.19 crore and executing transactions worth Tk 349.15 crore across 29 bank accounts without a credible income source. On January 21, separate cases were brought against former state ministers Meher Afroz Chumki and Zakir Hossain, as well as former MP AKM Sarwar Jahan Badsha and his wife, for illicitly acquiring wealth and conducting dubious bank transactions.
During the five-month period from August 5 to December last year, the ACC received an overwhelming 8,623 complaints. Out of these, 1,361 complaints were approved for investigation, and 495 were referred to relevant departments or offices for further action. This indicates that the ACC addressed 21.52 per cent of the complaints received within this timeframe.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), highlighted the procedural challenges faced by the ACC in conducting investigations. He noted that unlike other law enforcement agencies, the ACC's dual-stage process of inquiry and investigation often leads to delays. To streamline operations, TIB has recommended abolishing the preliminary inquiry stage, allowing actionable complaints to proceed directly to the case stage.
ACC Chairman Dr Mohammad Abdul Momen has reiterated the commission's commitment to combating corruption. Speaking to reporters after assuming office on December 11, he emphasised that while the complete eradication of corruption may be elusive, a collective effort can significantly curb its prevalence.
