Those who will catch thieves are themselves thieves!

Stern punishments should be handed down to those who are holding top government offices with fake freedom-fighter certificates, a former bureaucrat and a senior lawyer suggest.

They fear that this idea of getting a fake certificate for special facilities might spread if these fraudsters do not face fast measures and punishments.

The Anti Corruption Commission had recommended revoking the freedom-fighter certificates of five government officials and legal measures against them after it found proof that they had got their certificates through illegal means.

The government on Sunday decided to revoke the freedom-fighter certificates and relevant gazettes of four secretaries and a joint secretary.

They are Health Secretary Niaz Uddin Miah, Public Service Commission Secretary AKM Amir Hossain, former PMO Secretary Molla Waheeduzzaman, now chairman of the Privatization Commission, former Liberation War Affairs Secretary KH Masud Siddique, currently OSD (officer on special duty), and the same ministry's Joint Secretary Abul Kasem Talukder, also an OSD now.

Reacting to that, former cabinet secretary Akbar Ali Khan on Sunday night told bdnews24.com: "This is unethical. Revoking the certificate is not enough, these five should not be in any government job from now on."

"It will take a long time to take actions against them in line with the public service rule," said Khan, who worked at the top level of the administration for a long time.

"That will continue. But they extended their service tenure by obtaining fake freedom-fighter certificate and that is a criminal offence. Stern measures should be taken against them right now," said the former caretaker government advisor.

Senior lawyer Barrister Rafique-Ul Haque expressed frustration and concern over the fraud.

He said, "What do I say to this - we all should hang ourselves after this incident!"

"If our top bureaucrats do such things, what will the general people do?" he asked.

"People at the liberation war affairs ministry have done this. Those who will catch thieves are themselves thieves. How do you expect the country to move forward?"

He also said tough punishment was the only ‘reward’ these officials should get.

These five senior government officials allegedly obtained the freedom-fighter certificates to extend their service tenure by a year.

Masud Siddiqui was the secretary to the liberation war affairs ministry when he obtained the certificate.

According to the rules, one has to show his/her freedom-fighter credentials while joining public service.

Akbar Ali Khan said there were many incidents of fraud over the Liberation War took place in the country - even during tenure of both past Awami League and BNP governments.

"Not just only in Dhaka, fraud with fake freedom-fighter certificates had spread across the country. And these five fraudsters are the proof."

"If they somehow manage to ditch punishment, this net of fraud will spread across the country. Then we won't be able to do anything," Khan said.

National anti-corruption agency ACC has already suggested the liberation war affairs ministry and public administration ministry to initiate legal action against the five.

Apart from departmental cases against them for a breach of discipline, these five officials may face charges of fraud in line with public service rules.

Earlier on Sunday, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq told reporters that legal actions will be taken against these officials.

He said they will be punished if they had taken state properties using these certificates.

Earlier, the liberation war affairs ministry had cancelled the certificates of 182 government employees and ordered departmental steps against them.

Apart from the 144,000, from ‘Lal Muktibarta list’, containing the names of the freedom fighters, and another list with the names of people who trained in India, freedom-fighter certificates of people from other lists have been suspended, the minister said.

And these certificates will remain suspended until further notice, but they would be able to appeal before Oct 31, he added.

Mozammel Huq said the ministry would screen the certificates and publish a final list of freedom fighters on Mar 26 next year. They will also be provided with identity cards.

Govt decides to revoke freedom-fighter certificates of 4 secretaries, a joint secretary

ACC suggests action against 5 top officials for FF certificate fraud