Anti-Corruption Commission - Bangladesh

The formal institutional practice to curbing corruption was initiated in Bangladesh thorough a long evolution of system. Formation of Enforcement Branch of Anti-Corruption was officially recognized many years before the country’s independence in 1971. During the British rule, corrupt practices were detected in the Food Department and as such, in 1944, the Enforcement Branch was formed in the Police Department to fight such corruption. As there was no investigating agency other than the police, under the Act, certain offences were declared as offences of corruption and those were made cognizable for the police to investigate. The Police Department was entrusted to investigate such corruption cases until the establishment of the Bureau of Anti-Corruption in 1957. As the Police Department failed to handle corruption properly, the then Government felt the need to establish a separate agency to fight corruption. For that purpose the Anti-Corruption Act was passed in 1957 and the Bureau of Anti-Corruption was established under the Act. The Bureau continued to function even after 32 years of independence of Bangladesh. Despite the continuous existence of the Bureau, corrupt practices were never under control, rather, widespread corruption turned into the single biggest roadblock towards economic development. The failure of the Bureau is the ultimate result of a lack of commitment to fight corruption. In addition to that, the Bureau used to follow a primitive approach in its fight against corruption. The Agency did not have modern facilities. Practically, there was no facility for the training of investigators. To start an enquiry or a case they had to get prior approval from the Government. Thus the Government had total control over the functioning of the Bureau.The investigators could investigate only those cases that the government authority desired. According to election pledge the government established the present independent Anti-Corruption Commission under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2004. The Anti -Corruption Commission Bangladesh consists of three Commissioners from whom the President appoints a Chairman for a period of five years from joining date. There are one Secretary, six Director General,12 Directors and some other officers as investigators and prosecutors. The total number of stuff is now 1073. The Commission is independent in executing its duties and responsibilities.Anti-Corruption Commission Bangladeshwas formed through the act promulgated on 23 February 2004 that into force on 9 May 2004. Although initially, it could not make the desired impact, but immediately following its reconstitution in February 2007, the ACC began working with renewed dynamism.