Section 32A of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, should be repealed. (Under this section, the ACC is required to obtain prior approval from the government before filing a case against any judge, magistrate, or government employee, consistent with Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.)

Year
2025
Reform Domain
Anti Corruption Anti Corruption
Sub Domain
ACC Operational Autonomy
Source of Reform Proposals
Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission Report
Reform Proposed
Reform Proposed
Reform Initiated
Reform Initiated
Legal and Policy Framework
Legal and Policy Framework
Operationalisation
Operationalisation
Action Implementation
Action Implementation
Stage of Implementation
Reform Proposed
Reform Proposed
Last Update: 14-Dec-25
This reform proposal, articulated in the Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission Report, was officially initiated.
Reform Initiated
Reform Initiated
Last Update: 02-May-26
As per Article 93(2) of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, the Anti-Corruption Commission (Amendment) Ordinance,2025 ceased to have legal effect on 11 April 2026, as it was not approved by Parliament within 30 days of the first sitting of the 13th National Parliament on 12 March 2026. Section 32A of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004 had been repealed through the Anti-Corruption Commission (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025.
Observation
    On 23 June 2026, it was reported that the ACC was preparing a preliminary draft law combining provisions of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004 with selected provisions of the unratified Anti-Corruption Commission (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025. The reported draft retained the repeal of Section 32A, which would allow the ACC to file cases against judges and public officials without obtaining prior government approval. The ACC Secretary stated that the draft remained at a preliminary stage and could undergo further additions and changes.
    Three members of the special parliamentary committee from the opposition, Md. Mujibur Rahman, Md. Rafiqul Islam Khan and G. M. Nazrul Islam, submitted notes of dissent regarding the recommendation on the ACC Ordinance. In their dissent, they emphasised the importance of the Ordinance and called for it to be passed as a bill without amendment. Full implementation of this proposal will depend on the elected government’s legislative action and political support for retaining the repeal of Section 32A.
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Permanently abolish any State practice that legitimizes income from illegitimate sources.
Reform Initiated
The ACC must develop a comprehensive Corruption Prevention Strategy with the assistance of relevant experts and drawing upon objective evaluation of the success and shortcomings of its current preventive activities. The strategy should include short, medium and long-term action plans focusing on such programmes as:
Inclusion of ethical and anti-corruption content in the school curriculum at all levels from primary to higher secondary, ensuring that such contents and applicable methods are modern, engaging, and student-friendly.
Introducing governance and anti-corruption courses, trainings, internships, and fellowships at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Extensive promotion of the ACC’s hotline number (106) through school textbooks, mass media, and social media platforms.
Conducting targeted anti-corruption campaigns and awareness programmes through mass media and social media (e.g., Facebook, X, Instagram).
Enhancing implementation of laws such as the Right to Information Act 2009, and the Public Interest Information Disclosure (Protection) Act 2011, through widespread awareness campaigns, motivation and training programmes.
Organising promotional programmes anchored on anti-corruption pledges, honesty, and adherence to human virtues and practices consistent with anti-corruption related religious edicts and values.
Engaging the youth in anti-corruption awareness and motivational activities inspired and designed by youth themselves at local and national levels.
Expanding partnership and collaboration activities with anti-corruption NGOs.
In line with Article 13 of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), mobilising stakeholders, including the government, to create legal and institutional frameworks that facilitate citizen and media participation in anti-corruption activities.
Playing a leading role in nationally observing the International Anti-Corruption Day and promoting anti-corruption messaging during other important national, social, cultural, religious, and political occasions.
Reform Proposed
The ACC’s existing Internal Anti-Corruption Committee must be abolished and replaced by an independent Internal Discipline Division. * This proposed division will comprise of personnel from the ACC’s own workforce and individuals appointed on deputation from various defence, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies. * Responsibilities of the proposed division shall include: a) Ensuring compliance with code of conduct applicable to ACC officials and employees, using counterintelligence measures if necessary. b) Conducting undercover inquiries or investigations into misconduct or corruption by ACC officials and employees. c) Investigating and scrutinising asset statements submitted under the ACC (Employees) Service Rules, 2008, and d) undertaking appropriate punitive actions when required.
Reform Proposed
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Glossary

Last Updated: 14th December 2025

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