Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury yesterday admitted that the image of toughness of the commission is getting dented due to recent bail binge and stay orders on the cases filed against corruption in high places.
“Yes, it is (being affected). It's a matter of perception,” he told a commission's regular briefing when asked if the image of toughness of the ACC is being affected due to recent bails granted to a significant number of accused and stay orders on its cases.
“People see those who have been detained are being released,” the ACC chairman said, adding that having seen this, people might be of the opinion that the anti-graft campaign is not going on as before.
He, however, said the cases are not going to end due to bail and stay, but it will take time to get these cases on track after disposal of writs and stay orders.
Mashhud said detaining someone or granting no bail in graft cases is not a big deal for the ACC. “Stay orders and bail are indispensable parts of law. Cases will have to be run after overcoming these.”
About the allegations that the cases were not properly prepared, he said verdicts were given in 70-80 cases and the same process is being followed in all the cases. “We have not changed the process.”
The ACC chairman observed that there is scope for wasting time in the country's judiciary and ruling system.
“We have to accept the real situation. There is scope for wasting time in the judiciary and ruling system,” he said, adding people will certainly take advantage if they see they could get away.
At one stage, he said, it would have to be decided whether things would remain like this or something could be done about it.
Responding to a question, he acknowledged that recently the ACC had been occupied with writs, bail and stay orders, so it could not pay enough attention to the lower courts where the high-profile corruption suspects are being tried.
About the bribe issue involving former Adviser Justice Fazlul Haque, the ACC chairman said that nobody should think that people from other organisations could help anyone on behalf of the commission.
He said the ACC wants amendments to its law so that in the higher courts it becomes a party in relations to writs, bail and stay orders about the cases filed by the commission.
Asked if the government's attitude towards the anti-graft campaign has changed, the former adviser of the caretaker government said in the light of so many aspects, including political one, people might view the government activities differently, but “our activities are as before”.
Asked about his earlier remarks that a specific number of cases would be settled before the elections to be held in December, he admitted that it could not be done.
Asked about the future of the commission after the election in December, the former army chief said in terms of individuals there is no reason to think of any change, but in terms of process there might be changes.
Responding to a question, he described the Truth and Accountability Commission (Tac) as a temporary aspect and wished it success in its clemency mission.
Mashhud said the information provided to Tac by the clemency seekers would be verified.