ACC forms 15 special teams to expedite probes

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has formed 15 special investigation teams to inject momentum into ongoing probes and ensure the swift disposal of priority investigations.

Each team, led by a deputy director, will comprise five members, meaning a total of 75 assistant and sub-assistant officers will work under the initiative. The move is part of the ACC's ongoing reform efforts, officials said.

The decision was communicated in a letter signed by Nazmul Hasan, Director of the ACC's Administration and Human Resources Division, on Monday.

According to the order, the 15 teams have been constituted to accelerate investigations under various wings and to fast-track important cases. The teams will operate in line with ACC-approved terms of reference and will become effective from 1 January.

The team leaders are Deputy Directors Md Hafizul Islam, Md Rashedul Islam, Md Atikul Islam, Md Jahangir Alam, Md Mashiur Rahman, Md Al Amin, Md Rauf ul Islam, Md Tahsin Munabil Haque, Md Niamul Ahsan Gazi, Muhammad Zainal Abedin, Md Jahangir Alam, Md Mozammil Hossain, AKM Mahbubur Rahman, Tanzir Hasib Sarkar, and Md Sifat Uddin.

Under the operational guidelines, team members will remain attached to the wings under which they are formed. The team leader will act as the controlling officer and will be responsible for submitting annual confidential reports (ACRs) of team members.

Each team will also be supported by one constable or assistant staff member with typing skills.

Ongoing investigation files will be handed over to the teams. However, comparatively lower-priority probes will be reassigned to other ACC officials who are not part of these teams.

Members of the 15 teams will not be assigned to any other teams except existing joint teams. Those already involved in joint teams will continue there until high-profile investigations are completed.

During ongoing investigations, a director general or director will act as the supervising authority. Team members will not be assigned individual investigations separately.

The teams will regularly update the commission on the status of cases under their charge and brief the commission on their activities after weekly meetings, the order said.