Contrite corrupt people have to apply by Sept 1 for clemency

FE Team | Published: August 19, 2008 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

The Truth and Accountability Commission (TAC) has reminded any contrite corrupt that they have to apply by September 1 if they want to take the advantage of clemency in return for their ill-gotten wealth, reports UNB.

A TAC handout said Monday that the deadline for application for clemency would be up to 5:00pm on September 1.

It said as part of the government's anti-corruption purge, the TAC has been set up alongside the existing judiciary as a quick and alternative arrangement for a few specific corruption-related trial proceedings.

Meanwhile, the TAC has initiated the process of calling the corrupt individuals for filling up prescribed forms to swap their ill-gotten wealth for clemency to avert getting caught under the ongoing purge.

This will be applicable for those who have filed initial applications either themselves or through the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

"After scrutinising their applications, we have already started the process. Those who have primarily applied will be asked to fill up prescribed forms from today (Tuesday)," TAC Chairman Justice Habibur Rahman Khan told the news agency Monday evening.

"And after filling up forms they will be given the time for hearing," he added.

The TAC chairman said within this week the applicants would be informed about the date over telephone and those in jail would be informed through prison authority.

Responding to a question, he said the applicants who applied themselves and through ACC could come to fill up prescribed forms as early as possible Tuesday for making voluntary declarations.

About the list of 17 sent by the ACC, he said after reviewing their applications, they would now be called to fill up the prescribed forms.

Another report adds: More corrupt individuals, in addition to the 17 whose list was already sent, are applying with the ACC for referring their cases to the TAC for clemency.

ACC Director General (Admin) Col Hanif Iqbal told the agency that six more persons applied Monday.

He said these individuals include both serving and former government officials and wives of some of them.

Citing confidentiality, Mr Hanif, however, would not disclose the names of the applicants.

Their applications, he said, would be put up for approval in the Commission's meeting after the return of ACC Chairman Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury from Sunamganj.