Some 17-18 corrupt persons, including politicians, businessmen and bureaucrats, have so far applied to the Truth and Accountability Commission (TAC) for clemency in return for their ill-gotten wealth to escape getting caught under the current clean-up drive, reports UNB.
"Some 17-18 persons have applied so far, and their applications are now under legal process," TAC Chairman Justice Habibur Rahman Khan told the media in regular weekly briefing of the Commission.
Replying to a question, Justice Khan said the applicants include politicians, businessmen and bureaucrats. Citing confidentiality reasons, he, however, would not disclose the names of those who have applied.
To another questioner, he disclosed some of the applicants are now in prisons.
After filing an application expressing desire to make a voluntary declaration, the TAC will first make sure that there is no case pending against the applicant with either the Anti-Corruption Commission, the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on serious crime and corruption, and courts.
Only after that, s/he will be supplied with the form to make voluntary declaration about his or her illegal wealth.
In this regard, the TAC chairman told the briefing that it would take some time to begin the proceedings, as the applicants would have to fill in the forms to make the confession. Having received filled-up forms, he said, the Commission would provide specific dates for hearings.
He said he could know that the ACC is preparing a list of the corrupt persons who intended to take the advantage of the TAC. "I do hope the ACC will send the list within 2-3 days."
TAC Member Maj Gen (retd) Manjur Rashid, who also attended the briefing, said the NCC is also preparing a list to refer to the Commission. "We hope we will get some cases next week."
