Corruption Allegations Surface Against Former Advisers of Bangladesh’s Interim Government

Melbourne, 6 March: A series of corruption and misconduct allegations have begun to surface against several former advisers of Bangladesh’s interim government, as well as officials who were appointed to various institutions on their recommendation.

Shortly after the advisers left office, multiple written complaints were submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Authorities have also sought bank account details of several former advisers to investigate allegations of money laundering and unusual financial transactions.

According to relevant sources, the interim government was formed following the July uprising amid strong expectations from students and the public. However, several advisers are now facing accusations of abuse of power, influence in appointments, and irregularities in project implementation.

Complainants allege that while in office, some advisers used their influence to manipulate decisions in different sectors and played a role in appointing individuals close to them to important positions.

Earlier, former secretary ABM Abdus Sattar had publicly raised corruption allegations during the tenure of the interim government. In August last year, he claimed to possess evidence of serious corruption involving at least eight advisers. At the time, the interim government rejected the claims as baseless. However, the issue has resurfaced following the recent submission of complaints to different agencies.

Sources within the Anti-Corruption Commission say that complaints have been filed against almost all advisers, including former chief adviser Dr Yunus. These written complaints were reportedly submitted within a week after they stepped down from their responsibilities. The allegations are currently undergoing preliminary verification.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has sought bank account information of four former advisers and one special assistant to investigate suspected money laundering and unusual financial activities. Those whose records have been requested include former advisers Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Fauzul Kabir Khan, Asif Mahmud, Adilur Rahman Khan, and Khoda Baksh Chowdhury, the special assistant to the chief adviser on home affairs.

Letters have been sent to all banks and financial institutions in the country requesting detailed information on their accounts. The agency is examining whether any unusual transactions or suspicious transfers have occurred.

Among the advisers, the largest number of allegations has been raised against former adviser for Local Government, Rural Development, and Youth and Sports, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan. His personal assistant, Moazzem Hossain, was removed from his position during Bhuiyan’s tenure following allegations of widespread irregularities and corruption. Investigations into those allegations are currently underway.

Attention has also turned to the financial activities of the adviser’s driver’s family. According to income tax records from the National Board of Revenue, the driver’s brother declared an income of nearly 18 million taka in the 2024–25 fiscal year. Officials suspect that the declared income may not align with his actual sources of earnings, and the matter is now under investigation.

Further allegations claim that the former adviser used his influence to increase the costs of several development projects and played a role in approving new projects in his own region. Questions have also been raised about the reportedly inflated costs of constructing mini stadiums at the sub-district level.

Investigations are also underway into Ejaz, the former administrator of Dhaka City Corporation who was appointed on the recommendation of Asif Mahmud. He faces allegations of financial misappropriation and other irregularities. The city corporation itself has reportedly decided to conduct its own inquiry into the matter.

Serious allegations have also emerged against a close associate of another student adviser in the interim government, Nahid Islam. It is alleged that his former personal secretary, Atik Morshed, used influence to facilitate irregular recruitment in the mobile financial services provider Nagad through his wife, leading to the alleged embezzlement of hundreds of millions of taka.

In addition, after Nahid Islam resigned, another adviser who later assumed responsibility for the same ministry, Mahfuz Alam, has reportedly faced allegations of accepting bribes in connection with issuing licences to television channels.

Former Bangladesh Bank governor Ahsan H Mansur has also been accused of various financial irregularities, according to several sources. Similarly, allegations of abuse of power and misconduct have been raised against former health adviser Nurjahan Begum.

Commenting on the issue, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh, said that if the allegations appear credible at the preliminary stage, they must be investigated in an impartial manner.

“If the accusations are proven, those responsible must be brought under accountability,” he said, adding that no one involved in state administration is above the law and that transparent investigations are essential when corruption allegations arise.

Authorities say preliminary reviews of the complaints are currently underway. If evidence supporting the allegations is found, further legal action will be taken.