Money Launderers: ‘ACC couldn’t bring them to justice’

Even though a huge amount of money is being laundered abroad, the Anti-Corruption Commission could not bring the launderers to book, ACC Commissioner Mozammel Haque Khan said yesterday.

"Some have embezzled a huge amount from banks and financial institutions … but we failed to address it as per the people's expectations," he said while speaking at the meet the press organised by the anti-graft body on the launching of its Annual Report 2022 at its Segunbagicha headquarters.

About the reasons behind this failure, the ACC commissioner said, "Repatriating the laundered money and bringing back the launderers to the country for trial are complicated work."

"Sometimes laws of the respective countries and mutual treaties create barriers for repatriation of the money. We're trying to overcome this."

In reply to a query, ACC Chairman Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah said upon their requests, authorities of the respective countries freeze moveable and immoveable properties of the launderers and inform them about it. "But we don't have any mechanism to monitor whether it is unfreezed later."

Asked about allegations of using illegal money in national polls by candidates, he said the ACC will keep an eye on the election. 

"We cannot initiate a probe without information. If we get information, we'll launch enquiry following the relevant act."

He said the ACC is working on reducing the time it spends on enquiries. "If we can do it, transparency and dynamism will be ensured."

Replying to a question on the progress of the BASIC Bank loan scam probe, the ACC chief said, "The case is pending. We've expedited our work and there are directives of the High Court."

On November 28, 2022, the HC expressed disappointment at the ACC's failure to press charges in any of the 56 cases filed over the bank's loan scam in the last seven years.

"Crores of taka has been embezzled. But no work is being done though the Anti-Corruption Commission and so many judges and lawyers are there. Why are they [ACC] silent? This is just like a drama. We are watching the drama. This is not acceptable," an HC bench observed while hearing bail petitions filed by Mohammad Ali, former general manager of BASIC Bank's Shantinagar branch.

According to the ACC's annual report 2022, there were 3,326 cases pending with the court. The ACC got 19,338 complaints and selected 901 for enquiries.

The graft watchdog filed 406 cases, submitted charge sheets in 224 cases and won 211 out of 346 cases last year. The courts imposed a fine of Tk 2,632 crore and confiscated Tk 13.96 crore in the 211 cases.

"Imposing fines and confiscation of wealth are more fruitful than sending the corrupt to jail. It will reduce the tendency of people being involved in corruption," the ACC chief added.