Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Golam Rahman has alleged that people who were convicted in corruption cases after 1/11 changeover are now trying to be heroes. "None of the accused have so far been proved innocent by the court. The legal process still continues," he said while exchanging views with people from different walks of life during his visit to two districts-Bogra and Dinajpur on Sunday and Monday respectively.

The ACC chairman assured that corruption cases filed with a motive to harass people would be withdrawn. "But legal action will be taken against anyone, whoever he is, if the allegation of corruption is proved by fair investigation," he said adding, "The Commission will never bow to any pressure and it will continue its fight against corruption without fear or favour."

During the exchange of opinion meeting at Dinajpur yesterday, the ACC Chairman assured that all the corruption cases would be thoroughly examined and fairly investigated. He said what had been done during the emergency was not possible now. None will be described as corrupt at the investigation stage. Names of the accused will be made public after charge sheet is submitted against them.

The ACC chairman regretted that none of the big corrupts prosecuted was imprisoned after withdrawal of emergency. Caretaker government rule and emergency period cannot be construed as normal time, he said. He said, "Judges do really want to punish the corrupt elements but they cannot do it. The sphere of curbing corruption is also limited."

The fate of 250 cases is hanging in the balance following a case filed by Awami League leader Habibur Rahman Mollah in the High Court. Fate of 50 other cases also depends on the High Court verdict, he added. Among others, chairman of the District Corruption Resistance Committee Mokaddes Hossain Chowdhury, committee members, journalists and senior officials were present at the meeting. Participants expressed concern over the implication of innocent people in corruption cases by successive governments for political harassment.

-New Nation