Pabna, Feb 27 (V7N) – Dr. Abdul Momen, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), stated that the ACC is not yet a constitutional body, but if it were, its ability to function independently would increase significantly.
 
He made these comments on Wednesday, (February 26), following a public hearing by the ACC at the Pabna District Shilpakala Academy auditorium. The hearing was organized in collaboration with the Pabna District Administration and the District Anti-Corruption Committee, with Dr. Momen attending as the chief guest.
 
In response to questions from journalists, Dr. Momen said, “All kinds of freedom come with certain limitations. Within the scope of the freedom we have, we will strive to work as effectively and impartially as possible."
 
When questioned about the political cases from the previous Awami League government, Dr. Momen noted, “What has been the outcome of repressive, exploitative, and torturous cases? There’s no need to elaborate further. If we maintain the same pattern, we too will face similar consequences.”
 
Dr. Momen emphasized that the role of the ACC is to prepare cases for trial, with the courts responsible for delivering the judgment. He added that Pabna has always been a district known for its spirit of resistance, and this protest should be more focused on fighting corruption. He expressed hope that Pabna would become the first district to be free of corruption.
 
The event was presided over by Mohammad Mofizul Islam, the Pabna District Commissioner, and featured special guests such as ACC Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Hafiz Ahsan Farid. Other attendees included Kamrul Ahsan, Director of ACC Rajshahi Range, Akhtar Hossain, Director General of the Anti-Corruption Prevention Committee, along with the District Police Superintendent, Murtuza Ali Khan, and Dr. Monwarul Aziz, President of the District Anti-Corruption Committee.
 
During the hearing, 157 complaints were submitted, with 57 of those being reviewed for the hearing. Individuals who had been victims of harassment or denial of services by various government offices raised their grievances, and the heads of those institutions responded immediately to the complaints.
 
The majority of the complaints revolved around land issues, with several accusations of harassment from officials at the zonal settlement office and the local land office. The ACC has instructed that these complaints be investigated and necessary actions taken.
 
One complainant, Ibrahim Hossain, highlighted the discrepancy in land office employees’ wealth despite receiving a modest salary of Tk 5,000 per month, while he, despite working in Italy for years, could not afford to build a five-story house. He demanded the replacement of all officials at the Pabna Settlement Office.
 
Another complainant, Mojibur Rahman from Char Boalia, accused land office employees of taking bribes to process land documents. He also highlighted irregularities in the handling of marriage certificates, which he described as unlawful. The ACC assured that a team of experts would be sent from Dhaka to investigate the land-related complaints.
 
Numerous other complaints were raised against officials in Pabna’s BRTA, Passport Office, General Hospital, Election Office, Sub-Registrar Office, and several insurance companies for various forms of harassment. The ACC assured that these complaints would be addressed and resolved systematically.
 
The commission continues to assure the public of their commitment to tackling corruption and improving the efficiency and transparency of public services.
 
END/SR/SMA/