EVOLUTION

During the end of WW II an organization by the name "Enforcement Branch" was created in 1943 under the Food Department to monitor and check pervasive corruption in the food rationing system that was about to create famine like situation in the Sub-Continent. When the measure subsequently proved to be futile the branch was placed under the CID and Anti-Corruption Act 1947 was enacted.

In the year 1957 the branch was reorganized as Bureau of Anti- Corruption duly enacting Anti-Corruption Act 1957.

Since its inception in 1943 until 1983 the organization functioned as a branch of the Police although the control of the organization passed hands between President's Secretariate and Prime Minister's Office with the changes in the system of the Government. However, through a notification issued byt he Chief Martial Law Adminstrator's Office on 19 October 1983 a separate employment charter was provided to the Bureau curtailing its dependency on the police for manpower. But the organization continued to function under the bureaucratic control.

The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) Bangaldesh was created through an act promulgated on 23 February 2004 that into force on 09 May 2004. The first set of office bearers were appointed on 21 November 2004. The following day, it commenced its journey with a mission, a vow to make a difference to the Nation's anti corruption intitiatives and a fresh mandate. While its predecessor the Bureau of Anti Corruption was abolished on the same day. Although initially, it could not make the desired impact, but immediately following its reconstitution in February 2007, the ACC began working with renewed vigor and impetus duly acceding to the United Nation's convention against corruption that was adopted by the General Assembly way back on 31 October 2003.

CHAIRMAN & COMMISSIONERS

The commission is mandated as independent, self-governed and neutral entity. It consists of three Commissioners; of them one as the chairman and all appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Selection Committee for a period of four years from the date of their appointment. While the commissioners function on full time basis loses eligibility for reappointment on expiry of the term in their office.

FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION

• To enquire into and conduct investigation of offences mentioned in the schedule
• To file cases on the basis of enquiry or investigation and conduct cases
• To hold enquiry into allegations of corruption on its own motion or on the application of aggrieved person or any person on his behalf
• To perform any function assigned to Commission by any Act in respect of corruption
• To review any recognized provisions of any law for prevention of corruption and submit recommendation to the President for their effective implementation
• To undertake research, prepare plan for prevention of corruption  and submit to the President, recommendation for action based on the result of such research
• To raise awareness and create feeling of honesty and integrity among people with a view to preventing corruption
• To organize seminar, symposium, workshop etc. on the subjects falling within the functions and duties of the Commission
• To identify various causes of corruption in the context of socio-economic conditions of Bangladesh and make recommendation to the President for taking necessary steps
• To determine the procedure of  enquiry, investigation, filing of cases and also the procedure of according sanction of the Commission for filing case against corruption and
• To perform any other duty as may be considered necessary for prevention of corruption.

POWER TO MAKE RULES

• The Commission for carrying out the purpose of Anti Corruption Act, 2004 has been vested with the power to make rules by notification published in the official Gazette with the prior approval of the President.

SCHEDULE

• Offences under Anti-Corruption Act 2004 (Possession of property disproportionate to known source of income)
• Offences punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 (Act 11 of 1947)
• Anti-Money Laundering Act -2002 (Act 7 of 2002)
• Offences punishable under sections 161-169, 217, 218, 408, 409 and 477A of the Penal Code, 160 (Act XLV of 1960)
• Offences of abetment, conspiracy and attempts as defined respectively in section 109, 120B and 511 of the Penal Code, 1860 (Act XLV of 1860) in relation to clauses (a) to (c).

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