Since its establishment in 2004, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has been at the centre of the country's struggle against corruption.
However, the effectiveness of the ACC has been a topic of intense debate, with many experts and former officials claiming that the commission has often been utilized for political purposes rather than functioning as an independent entity.
Wishing anonymity, two current commissioners told Dhaka Tribune: "The commission was established with the intention of creating a robust, independent body to combat corruption, which had become deeply entrenched in Bangladesh's political and economic systems."
However, from its inception, the ACC has faced significant challenges, including political interference, lack of resources, and legal constraints that hampered its operations, they pointed out.
Former ACC chairman Ghulam Rahman has frequently pointed out that political governments have historically influenced the ACC's operations, using it to target opposition figures while protecting allies.
He asserted that the ACC's full potential has remained untapped due to this pervasive influence of political powers.
According to him, each successive government has sought to manipulate the ACC to fortify its own control, rather than permit the commission to operate autonomously and effectively.
Utilization under political governments
Throughout different administrations, the ACC's role has been questioned. During the tenure of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Awami League, the commission was accused of acting selectively, focusing investigations on political opponents rather than pursuing corruption cases impartially.
This pattern led to a growing public perception that the ACC was more of a political weapon than a guardian of integrity.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has been a vocal critic of this trend. Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB, has underscored the significant challenge facing the ACC, and the struggle to uphold its independence amid persistent political pressures.
He lamented that, despite its foundational mandate to combat corruption impartially, the institution’s actions frequently align with the interests of the ruling powers, thereby undermining its effectiveness and credibility.
Recent developments and future prospects
The fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on August 5 marked a turning point for the ACC, which has since intensified its efforts to pursue corruption cases.
This has led to renewed hope that the ACC might finally be able to fulfil its mandate. However, experts remain wary.
Experts in governance and anti-corruption have echoed TIB's concerns, emphasising that for the ACC to be truly effective, it must be free from political pressures.
They argue that the current surge in activity should not be viewed as a sign of real change unless it is accompanied by structural reforms that guarantee the ACC's independence.
The recent developments have also led to calls for a broader reform of Bangladesh's state institutions, which have been plagued by corruption and mismanagement for decades.
The success of these efforts will depend on the willingness of the new government to confront the entrenched interests that have long benefited from the status quo.
Prof AKM Abdul Momen, a governance expert, said: "While the ACC's recent activities are a positive sign, we must be careful not to see this as a guarantee of future independence. The real test will be whether the ACC can maintain its momentum without succumbing to new political influences."
Similarly, TIB continues to advocate for reforms that would shield the ACC from political manipulation. The organisation has suggested legal amendments to strengthen the commission's independence, including measures to ensure that appointments to the ACC are made without political bias.
Start of a new chapter
During the Awami League's tenure, the ACC was widely perceived as a toothless entity, unable to act independently due to political pressure.
Allegations of corruption, human rights abuses, and misuse of state power were rampant, yet the ACC remained largely inactive. This was attributed to the deep entrenchment of the Awami League's influence in every state apparatus, including the judiciary and law enforcement, effectively paralysing the commission.
The Awami League's control over the ACC was not merely implicit. Political leaders and their associates were often shielded from investigations, and cases against opposition figures were pursued aggressively, suggesting selective enforcement of anti-corruption laws.
This selective approach eroded public trust in the ACC, which was seen as an instrument of political retribution rather than a guardian of public integrity.
But the sudden ouster of Sheikh Hasina and the collapse of the Awami League's political structure have fundamentally altered the dynamics.
The ACC, now operating under a different political climate, has begun to assert its independence more robustly. This shift is partly driven by a broader effort to restore democratic processes and accountability in Bangladesh.
In the aftermath of the Awami League's fall, the ACC has initiated investigations into high-profile cases that were previously stalled or ignored.
The ACC is now scrutinising the role of 41 former ministers, state ministers, and lawmakers who served under the Awami League government from 2009 to 2024. These include investigations into allegations of illegal wealth accumulation, abuse of power, and other forms of corruption.
Among those under investigation are notable figures like former law minister Anisul Huq, ex-foreign minister Hasan Mahmud, and former education minister Mohibul Hasan Choudhoury. The commission's current chairperson, Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah, has been leading this intensified drive against corruption.
The ACC's renewed vigour comes in the wake of public demands for accountability and transparency, which were often muted or ignored during the Awami League's tenure.
The commission's actions are now being interpreted as a move to address past grievances and restore public trust in governance. However, some critics argue that the ACC is acting more decisively now that these individuals are out of power, raising concerns about the timing and the commission's independence.
However, the public has responded positively to these developments, viewing them as a long-overdue reckoning with the impunity that characterised the previous regime.
ACC Chairman Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah, has pledged to pursue these cases with full transparency, emphasising that "no one, regardless of their political affiliation, will be above the law."
