ACC plans action against former ministers, MPs

"No matter who, we will take action against anyone, including (former) ministers and MPs, if there are specific allegations of corruption," ACC Chairman Justice Sultan Hossain Khan told the news agency at his office yesterday.

He, however, said the ACC has not yet received any specific allegation of corruption against any ministers or MPs.

Asked why ACC did not take action based on newspaper reports, Justice Khan said if there is clear evidence in newspaper reports on corruption, "we may act."

Justice Khan blamed the administrative complexities for non-approval of the prosecution and recruitment rules.

The ACC chairman said he is planning to meet the president this week to seek his help in getting approval of the rules for making his organisation fully functional. He will also seek approval of the rules for recruiting lawyers for the ACC.

He said the revised prosecution rules will be sent to the Cabinet Division within a couple of days and expressed optimism that the ACC will be functional within a month.

About use of black money in the coming general elections, the ACC chairman said political parties have no initiatives to stop it. "We will take the initiative in cooperation with the Election Commission," he said, adding that the ACC with the help of the EC will try to find out source of money and monitor expenses by the candidates.