No corrupt official can remain in ACC: HC

The High Court today observed that no corrupt official can remain in the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC).

The ACC, which is an independent body, has to work honestly and transparently, the court said while hearing a suo moto (voluntary) rule over compensating Jaha Alam, the man wrongly imprisoned for three years because of identity mix-up.

The HC said, an innocent man cannot be in imprisonment for even a second.

Jaha Alam told the court again and again that he is Jaha Alam not Salek, the original accused of the corruption cases, but he was not relieved, the court said. 

The ACC and its lawyer cannot avoid the responsibility for imprisonment of Jaha Alam, the HC bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader said.

ACC's lawyer Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan said the lower court had a responsibility about exempting Jaha Alam.

The HC ordered the ACC to submit its internal committee's report on those responsible for implicating and imprisoning Jaha Alam. The ACC has been asked to submit the report on July 11.

The court also fixed July 11 for further hearing on the issue.

During hearing the court also observed that a golden age is running in the country's economy and there is a scope for economic crime.

Therefore, the ACC will have to work with sincerity and transparency so that such crimes cannot take place.

The court said if the ACC cannot be powerful and transparent the economy of the country cannot develop.   

Jute mill worker Jaha Alam, who had been wrongly languishing in jail since February 2016, was released on February 4 this year following an HC directive after newspapers reported about his ordeal.

He was arrested in connection with cases filed by the ACC for misappropriation of Sonali Bank money. The HC exonerated him from the charges on February 3.

The HC bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader on January 28 issued the suo moto rule asking the ACC and government why they should not be directed to compensate Jaha Alam.