Unfair anti-graft law to stumble on court

Any amendment to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Act contradicting the constitution will not sustain before the High Court, eminent lawyer Shahdeen Malik has said.
“This is a kind of immunity -- a kind of indemnity for a section of people that prior permission will be required before filing cases against government officials,” he said at a roundtable in the capital yesterday.
“If passed, this discriminatory law will not sustain a legal battle before the High Court, as our constitution ensures equity for all before law.”
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) organised the roundtable at LGED Bhaban in Agargaon against the backdrop of the government move for bringing 10 amendments to the ACC law.
According to the amendment proposals approved by the cabinet, the commission must take government permission to sue a public servant.
Dr Akbar Ali Khan, former caretaker government adviser, said the proposed amendments are politicians' reaction to the anti-corruption drive during the immediate past caretaker government.
He identified two flaws in the move during the period -- making ACC unable to work freely and filing the graft cases under emergency law.
“But the proposed amendments will weaken the commission further,” he noted.
ACC Chairman Ghulam Rahman hoped that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina “will not approve any law that hinders its activities”.
“I have not seen a copy of the amendment proposals approved by the cabinet. However, I can say that making ACC independent and making prior permission obligatory before filing cases against a section of people cannot happen at the same time,” he added.
Moderated by TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman, the roundtable was also attended by Dhaka University Prof Asif Nazrul, Prof Moniruzzaman Miah, journalists and retired bureaucrats.