The Anti-Corruption Commission  has penalised 238 officials and staff members over the past 16 years for offences including extortion, fraud, bribery, and corruption. The disciplinary actions ranged from dismissals and forced retirements to demotions and salary reductions.

In the past year alone, nine officials were penalised, including terminations. Departmental investigations are ongoing against 13 officials, while 25 others are under scrutiny by the ACC's internal anti-corruption committee.

One notable case involved Deputy Director Abu Bakar Siddique, who was investigated last April for allegedly accepting bribes in foreign currency.

Other cases included the dismissal of Constable Emran Hossain for misconduct, the suspension of Assistant Director Neel Kamal Pal's salary increment for three years, and the forced retirement of Chief Assistant Muhammad Mahbubul Hasan Afrad. Data Entry Operator Omar Faruq has also been temporarily suspended.

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A high-profile incident last year saw Assistant Sub-inspector  Kamrul Huda arrested and dismissed for accepting bribes from a businessman in Chattogram under false pretences. Similarly, Deputy Director Sudip Kumar Chowdhury was dismissed for taking bribes during an investigation.

ACC Director General (Prevention) Akhtar Hossain said addressing internal allegations is an ongoing process. "A three-member committee, led by the ACC chairman, verifies complaints and takes appropriate action. Depending on the severity, both departmental and criminal cases are initiated for serving employees, while criminal actions are pursued against retired staff," he said.

Formed in 2004 to replace the Bureau of Anti-Corruption, the ACC initially faced integrity issues with inherited officials. Proper recruitment rules were absent at the time, but relatively honest officers from the Bureau were retained. Internal complaints grew after the 2007–2008 political transition, prompting the adoption of a separate service regulation in 2008. This regulation allowed for disciplinary measures against internal misconduct.

Since then, 238 employees have faced penalties, including 34 dismissals, with others receiving punishments such as forced retirement, demotions, or salary reductions. Offenders ranged from peons and drivers to directors and deputy directors.

Between 2008 and 2013, 95 employees were penalised, with 18 dismissed. In 2008 alone, 32 employees faced action, including four dismissals. Allegations have continued to surface, though not all have been substantiated.

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The ACC has faced public scandals, such as the dismissal and criminal sentencing of Director Enamul Basir, who accepted a Tk 25 lakh bribe in 2019 from DIG Mizanur Rahman to drop a corruption case. Basir was dismissed and sentenced to eight years in prison.

Despite protests and legal challenges -- such as those following the dismissal of Deputy Director Sharif Uddin in Chattogram -- the ACC has upheld most disciplinary actions, said the commission.

Currently, 13 departmental cases and two criminal investigations are underway, alongside the evaluation of 25 new allegations.