Truth Commission for businessmen suspected of corruption likely

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FE report
The caretaker government is considering formation of 'Truth Commission' for the businessmen suspected of corruption.
If established, the would-be commission will fine the corrupt businessmen, particularly small ones, and/or confiscate assets amassed through corruption, but avoid potentially costly lawsuits.
This was disclosed Wednesday by law and information adviser Mainul Hosein at his secretariat office.
"In this way, the corrupt businessmen will not be put behind bars," Hosein told newsmen as he outlined the possible functions of the integrity body.
He acknowledged, however, that fervent appeal from the business community had prompted the interim administration to consider setting up such a commission.
As part of its nationwide anti-graft campaign, the present caretaker authority has arrested top political leaders, businessmen, and bureaucrats on charges of corruption and many of whom are now imprisoned.
In parallel, the government has prepared a list of 220 corruption suspects, whose names have been leaked to the national media, although some of them have gone into hiding to escape arrests.
In a recent high level meet with the government top brass, the country's trade body leaders said that they were in constant fear and intimidation of being sent to prison and could not concentrate in their businesses.
Hosein said many small traders may have no choice but to resort to corrupt practices or violate laws, as the system itself acted as an incentive to take recourse to such practices.
"We want to make the system transparent so that businessmen will not get a chance to be dishonest taking advantage of legal loopholes," he added.
Responding to a question as to why the government would overlook wrongdoing by the businessmen but trying politicians, the law adviser noted that it would be done in the greater interest of the economy.
He went on: "The government's anti-graft drive has triggered a sense of fear among businessmen, which is not good for the economy. This cannot continue."
"We can not weigh all types of corruption and the corrupt people on the same scale," he quipped.
"The government is planning to change the trial procedure for corrupt
businessmen by establishing Truth Commission to help free them from the anxiety of being taken to jail. This will ultimately enable the business people to conduct their businesses smoothly."
Although Hosein did not give specifics about the future body, he hinted that it would allow small businessmen to plead guilty to "lesser infractions" of the law without fear of lawsuits or imprisonment.
But he said it would require enacting a new law to establish such a commission, although the system is already in practice in many countries.
Asked about the moves the government were considering with regard to businessmen involved in politics, the law adviser said that they were not thinking about that issue right now.
"But we'll see in the future who is more of a businessman than politician," he added.