ACC can now investigate all money laundering offences

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) from now on can investigate all kinds of money laundering offences under its jurisdiction.

ACC Commissioner Md Jahurul Haque on Tuesday came up with the information while talking to journalists at the commission’s Segunbagicha headquarters in the capital.

He said as per a High Court order issued on February 26, the ACC can now conduct investigations into any kind of offence under its jurisdiction under the money laundering act.

The prevention of money laundering act mentions 27 types of offences, but the ACC could earlier investigate only one.

“Following the court order, the ACC now has the opportunity to investigate all kinds of money laundering offences. The commission will make the final decision on this soon,” he said.

“According to articles 111 and 112 of the Constitution, we have to obey the court order.”

In 2012, the ACC was the lone agency responsible for investigating all money laundering crimes under the prevention of money laundering act.

But in 2015, the law was amended, which empowered the ACC to investigate only money laundering offences related to bribery and corruption.

The law empowered six other agencies, including the Criminal Investigation Department, the revenue board, and Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission, to investigate the 26 other types of money laundering offences.

Due to the lack of power, the ACC so far could not investigate crimes related to Panama Papers, Paradise Papers, Pandora Papers, and the second home project in Malaysia.