Only govt officials approaching TAC for clemency

Most of the 209 individuals who have so far applied to the Truth and Accountability Commission (TAC) for clemency since its inception are government officials and employees, reports UNB.brPrior to and after Tac's formation, people were made to believe that the Commission was meant for corrupt politicians and businessmen. brTac secretary Khandaker M Asaduzzaman told the Commission's weekly briefing Wednesday that some 209 corrupt individuals have so far applied to Tac seeking clemency in return for their ill-gotten wealth. brHe said of them 191 applicants are government employees and officials, 13 are some of their wives, three businessmen and two belonging to other professions. brNo politician has approached Tac yet since its formation more than a month ago, he said.brOf the applicants, Asaduzzaman said, five individuals have applied directly, 153 through the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on serious crime and corruption and 51 through the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).brHe said prescribed forms have been distributed among 195 individuals of which 161 submitted the filled-in forms to the Commission.brThe TAC secretary said as of today the Commission heard the clemency pleas of 46 persons, including 6 today (Wednesday). Those whose pleas have been heard so far by Tac have pledged to pay about Tk 15 crore to the Exchequer in return for clemency, he added.br