Govt considers mistakes in good faith as ‘no crime’: ACC chief   

Iqbal Mahmud, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman, seemed to be holding an olive branch out to the government employees, as he said, ‘Mistakes– no matter how big they might be -- would not be treated as a crime, if committed ‘in good faith’.

“It is very clear to everybody that if one does something wrong in good faith – even something big— will not be an offense,” he told the journalists after a meeting with the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) in Dhaka on Thursday.

“What I said just now is clearly mentioned in the Penal Code. However, there is a condition attached, that one must prove that one really did it in good faith,” he sounded clarifying his stance.  

According to the Penal Code, 1860 – Nothing is an offence which is done by a person who is, or who by reason of a mistake of fact and not by reason of a mistake of law in good faith believes himself to be, bound by law to do it. 

Concerning the meeting with the DCs, the ACC chief said that the DCs asked him questions regarding ACC measures to prevent corruption.    

“You know, our main objective is to prevent corruption. Then comes the elimination bid of the existing ones. We are not looking forward to file lawsuits, rather, we would like to prevent corruption in the first place; so that it doesn’t come into existence,” said Iqbal Mahmud, while adding: “The ACC is meaningless, if corruption persists.”    

“We have instructed the DCs to focus on prevention of corruption, and implement the schemes in this regard.  

“The DCs, at the meeting, also agreed that preventing corruption is important to achieve sustainable development,” added the ACC chief.  

“The DCs coordinate everything at district levels. I asked them to look after the anti-corruption activities of the concerned ACC officials. They will also notify us, if they find any ACC official neglecting his/her duty.”