No one can honestly say that the present government under Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina has been the least lenient in unearthing cases of corruption in Bangladesh and catching and jailing their perpetrators, sweepingly, without showing an iota of fear or favour.

Let us look at the recent sensational examples. The grand master of corruption and also imposter of the highest order, one Md Shahed, is now behind bars. He was charged for swindling hundreds of crores of Taka in numerous wheeling-dealings. Investigations and cases are being conducted with full force against each and every one of these cases while a countrywide dragnet ensured that he could not escape the country. He was quickly arrested and put into jail.

Earlier, it was speculated that Shahed possessed so much resources that using the same he could easily buy and bribe his way to freedom. He allegedly had key persons in position of power in his secret payroll so that he could be confident that none could put him in prison or convict him. But what really happened ? The law enforcement machinery did nab him and already he is a convicted person serving a life sentence for possession of unauthorized arms and ammunition. Shahed may of course appeal against his conviction in a higher court. But it does not seem that he will receive much consideration in the higher courts in view of the number and enormity of his corruption and crimes. Meanwhile, convictions will multiply against him gradually in the other cases. Thus, it seems, his fate is sealed and he is truly destined for a life in jail while the authorities are gradually moving ahead to detect and seize his illegally obtained wealth and properties.

Dr Sabrina, a close acquaintance of Shahed in his crimes and charged for producing and selling fake Corona test reports, was much in the limelight recently for her gross immoral behaviour and lust for easy money making. She too was rumoured as an untouchable of sorts because of her official position as a ranking government employee and veiled high level connections in the corridors of power. But finally nothing could stand in the way of her arrest and stripping her of her official powers and position. She is now languishing in jail as an ordinary prisoner waiting to hear the verdict against her which is most likely to be a tough one.

Then let’s look at the sensational case of one former OC of the Police or OC Pradeep . The rumour mill spread the notions that this man possessed extraordinary powers within the police force and in the administration at highest levels. He was also discussed for maintaining connections with powerful political potentates in our neighbouring country through their missions in Dhaka. Reportedly, even his powerful external patrons were lobbying our government to let him off the hook.

This OC Pradeep allegedly sent many persons to encounter deaths and extorted money from their relatives with promises of saving their lives if they fully paid the demanded amounts. Finally, he was charged for killing an ex army officer indirectly through his associates in cold blood. Arresting him for his latest crime was a ‘sensitive’ issue as he was a serving officer of the police and had gone for a clever manoeuvre of starting a case against the deceased ex army officer for resisting police actions against him. Pradeep tried to portray the ex army officer as a bandit of sorts.

However, nothing could finally prevent the arrest and jailing of this ex OC Pradeep. Previously, the ones in the victim families who lost their dear ones to Pradeep’s atrocities, were fearful of taking initiatives against him. Now the scenario has completely changed. One after another cases have been started against him from the families of the victims for killing, extortion, rape and property grabbing. It appears verdicts against him in these cases and also the one for the murder of the ex army officer, will be enough to surely keep him behind bars for a life time. Also the prospect of his hanging for his crimes, is there.

Meanwhile, the bank accounts of Pradeep have been frozen and his immovable properties seized by order from appropriate authorities. Needless to say, all these should amply suggest where the fate of this infamous former member of the police, is heading towards. Unfortunately, the rumour mongers are still not put off and in many instances are noted in the social media for still indulging in the canard or the preposterous idea that Pradeep at one stage will be allowed to walk away free.

There have been so many examples of crimes and corruption in recent months that even if desirable the same cannot be discussed in the confines of this column. But what should be ‘notable’ is the prompt taking of effective action by our police and other law enforcers against each of the offenders. In every instance of media exposure of such corruption, the police and law enforcers were seen specially active in nabbing the culprits. For example, let us see the example of one driver of the Health Ministry, Abdul Malek, who was exposed in the media recently for owning beyond his possible means some Taka 100 crore. His other accumulated ill gotten wealth amount to Taka one thousand crore. Following the media exposure, the driver was immediately arrested while charges are being framed against him accompanying investigations.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) following media exposure moved against one PK Halder who was reported for embezzling some Taka 3,500 crore from several non banking financial institutions (NBFIs). But ACC showed a burst of activism and immediately started investigation in line with the report which has now led to the finding that this man has embezzled a far bigger amount, Taka 10,200 crore and laundered the same to Canada where is now staying. ACC in concert with other governmental ministries and agencies is playing a truly active role to ensure the extradition of this man to Bangladesh to stand in the dock and also to bring back the laundered amounts to Bangladesh.,

Needless to say, the on going super strong drive against crime and corruption in Bangladesh has been possible because the full resolve of the government is there to stay the course. Specially, it is proving to be successful mainly because our PM is engaged tirelessly to ensure such an outcome. This drive against crime and corruption is unprecedented in our history in terms of impartiality, inclusion and results. We wish the Prime Minister absolute success in her majestic endeavour.

Besides, we are a civilized nation with a respected legal process. Government here needs to respect the human rights of charge-sheeted prisoners and treat them humanely. We cannot expect charge sheeted prisoners to be put under firing squads in public view or lynch them likewise to whet the appetite of mob justice. People need to be patient and wait out the completion of proper legal procedures against offenders without believing in rumours and misinformation spreaders.