100pc conviction in ACC-filed ML cases

Claims anti-graft body chief

FE Report | February 14, 2019 00:00:00

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Iqbal Mahmood said on Wednesday the rate of conviction in the money laundering (ML) cases, filed by the commission, reached cent per cent last year.

However, he noted that ACC only has the power to investigate bribery and graft-related money laundering cases, while the investigation of remaining 26 types of offences related to money laundering falls under the jurisdiction of other state agencies.

Apart from ACC, money laundering cases are prosecuted by National Board of Revenue (NBR), Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police, and Department of Narcotics Control as per the existing laws, Mr Mahmood added.

He said these during a courtesy meeting with a six-member delegation of US National Center for State Courts (NCSC), led by its technical director (strengthening of law programme) Robert Lochary, at the commission headquarters in the capital.

Mentioning the commission's efficiency in investigation and prosecution has not yet reached the desired level, the ACC chief said the national anti-graft body is trying to increase the capability of its officials by providing them training at home and abroad to prevent money laundering.

Mr Mahmood also said the anti-graft authority does not have permanent prosecutors. But it is trying to monitor the activities of designated prosecutors according to the existing rules and regulations.

Seeking collaboration from NCSC to train the ACC investigation officers, prosecutors and judges concerned, Mr Mahmood told the delegation, "We don't need financial assistance. Rather, we need combination of local and foreign knowledge for systematic development of the commission."

ACC disposed eight money laundering cases in 2017 and six cases in 2018, in which the accused got convicted, said ACC deputy director (public relations) Pranab Kumar Bhattacharjee.

ACC director general (legal) Md Maidul Islam, and NCSC programme manger Rebecca Castelucci and its case management expert Joan D Bishop were also present at the meeting.

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