Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Iqbal Mahmood speaking at a view-exchange meeting on 'Illicit Income through Graft and Family Liability of Property: Women's Role, Risk and Way Forward'. organised by Transparency International Bangladesh at its office in the city's Dhanmondi on Sunday — FE photo Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) chairman Iqbal Mahmood on Sunday said a good number of women to their unawareness own illegal wealth which was basically obtained with illicit income by their male relatives like husband, father or brother.
In around 90 per cent of the cases filed by the commission women have no knowledge that the assets they own actually came from illicit income of their male relatives, he said.
"These women don't know anything about accumulation of illegal wealth recorded in their names by the male members of their families."
However, the national anti-graft agency has been thinking how to provide safeguard to these women with the existing legal framework and raising awareness among women about that type of situation so that they can stand against corruption, he said.
The ACC chairman said these while addressing as chief guest a view-exchange meeting titled 'Illicit Income through Graft and Family Liability of Property: Women's Role, Risk and Way Forward'.
The meeting was organised by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) at its office in the city's Dhanmondi.
Presided over by TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, the meeting was also addressed by ActionAid country director Farah Kabir, Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha (BNPS) executive director Rokeya Kabir, Jahangirnagar University Professor Dilara Choudhury, Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) executive director Shaheen Anam and TIB adviser (executive management) Dr Sumaiya Khair.
Delivering his speech, the ACC boss said at least 118 cases filed from 2015 to 2017 remain pending because it could not be determined whether the accused women were involved with the graft willingly or unwillingly.
"These wives, mothers and sisters told the ACC officials during interrogations that they don't know anything about illegal wealth in their names as they only signed the papers according to the orders of male family members," he added.
Mr Mahmood also said the commission faces two types of question resolving such cases - firstly, legal; secondly, humanitarian.
"Punitive actions can be taken against these women as they possess the illegal property according to paperwork; but what about the humanitarian aspect of this type of situation as these women, knowing nothing, only signed the papers," he said.
The commission holds talks in this regard with several organisations that works on women rights but no solution has come so far, the ACC chairman said, adding the anti-graft watchdog will discuss the matter with lawyers soon.
Besides, he also said if the women stand against corruption in the household, wage-earner of the family will hesitate before committing graft.
Speaking at the programme, TIB executive director said awareness campaign is required to make women conscious about illicit income and its liability to the family and individual.
They should also know about legal obligations and punishment of illegal wealth accumulation so that they can raise their voice against corruption in the household.
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