Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah on Sunday said the commission can do little to prevent the graft accused from fleeing the country.
"What can the ACC do, if an accused flees from the country? The commission performs its duty by putting travel bans (on him/her). The authority responsible for enforcing the directive should answer why it happens," he said responding to a question from reporters.
The ACC chairman was speaking at a view-exchange programme with journalists, organised by the commission at its headquarters in the city's Segunbagicha area, marking its 17th anniversary.
ACC Commissioners Dr Mozammel Haque Khan and Md Jahurul Haque, and Secretary Dr Md Anwar Hossain Howlader, among others, were also present in the programme.
Stating that no society, religion or country endorses corruption, Mr Abdullah told the reporters that it is not possible to prevent corruption only by the commission. Besides anti-graft acts, participation from the entire society is required (to do it).
"We all should ask questions to ourselves whether we are corruption free and whether the organisation we work for is owned by corrupt people."
The ACC chief also said it has always been tough to prove the graft allegations. When the graft complaints are filed, these are hugely exaggerated in most cases.
As a consequence, it takes much time to collect evidence, witnesses become non-cooperative, and defendants provide false or confusing information, he added.
Following the view-exchange programme, the prize giving ceremony of the first RAC Best Reporting Award, initiated by Reporters' against Corruption (RAC), was held at the ACC headquarters.
The award was given in three categories - daily Jugantar Senior Reporter Sirajul Islam won in print category, Maasranga Television Special Correspondent Kawsar Soheli in electronic media, and Bangla Tribune Senior Reporter Nuruzzaman Labu got the award in online media.
The prize money of each category was Tk 75,000. The winners were also given crests and certificates.
Daily Ajker Patrika Editor Professor Dr Golam Rahman, Dhaka Bureau Chief of AFP Safiqul Alam, and Chief News Editor of Maasranga Television Rejaul Haque Raja were in the jury board of the RAC Best Reporting Award 2021.
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