Search narrows for new ACC chief

The race for the leadership of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has entered its final stage, with a search committee scrutinising more than 300 applications to recommend a new chairman and commissioners, ending a nearly five-month leadership vacuum at the country's anti-graft watchdog.

According to multiple sources in the ACC, judiciary and public administration, former Dhaka Special Judge Court-3 judge Motahar Hossain has emerged as one of the frontrunners for the chairman's post.
Other names under consideration include former Justice Asaduzzaman, former District Judge Ruhul Quddus, former Joint District and Sessions Judge Dr Abul Hossain Khandaker, retired secretary Abdus Sabur, former additional secretary Tahsinur Rahman, Financial Reporting Council Chairman Dr Md Sajjad Hossain, former ACC Director General Munir Chowdhury and former police officer Dr Md Ashrafur Rahman. The names of several retired senior military officers have also surfaced during the selection process.

Motahar Hossain previously served as a senior special judge handling corruption and financial crime cases. In 2013, he acquitted BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in a money laundering case after finding the charges unproven. The ACC later opened an inquiry into allegations of illicit wealth against the judge, which was subsequently settled. In a media interview in September 2024, Motahar alleged that he had been threatened at gunpoint while hearing the case.

The ACC has remained without a chairman and commissioners since the resignation of the commission led by former chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen on March 3, marking the longest leadership vacuum in the institution's 21-year history.

According to ACC officials, the absence of commissioners has left around 13,000 complaints pending and significantly slowed the approval of new inquiries, investigations, anti-corruption drives, asset seizure orders and recommendations for travel restrictions.

To fill the vacancies, the government formed a five-member search committee on June 22, headed by Appellate Division Justice Md Rezaul Haque. The committee invited applications on July 2, with the submission deadline ending on July 13.

Officials said the more than 300 applications reflected unprecedented interest in leading the country's anti-graft agency.

Sources familiar with the process said the committee is assessing candidates on the basis of integrity, professional competence, administrative ability, leadership capacity, public service record and commitment to combating corruption before forwarding a shortlist to the President.

Under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, the President appoints the chairman and commissioners on the recommendation of the search committee. The law requires appointees to possess integrity, professional competence and relevant experience, while also protecting them from removal through executive order.

ACC Secretary Md Saidur Rahman Khan said the organisation was committed to restoring public confidence.

"There are various rumours and negative perceptions about the ACC. We want to remove these bad reputations and make the ACC more public-friendly. We want to take it to the people so that we can overcome the image crisis. We will work together with honesty and dedication in this regard," he said.

Transparency International Bangladesh Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the appointments should be based on merit rather than political considerations.

"People who have the courage to rise above party considerations should be selected. The appointees must be corruption-free, competent and have a proven record of working without any conflict of interest. Especially for the top three positions of the ACC, qualified individuals are needed who can take an uncompromising and tough stance against corruption," he said.