Allegations of Abuse of Power and Corruption Surrounding Dr Muhammad Yunus Reach the Anti-Corruption Commission

Melbourne, 8 March: The second episode of OTN Bangla’s ongoing investigative reporting series has been released today, focusing on allegations of abuse of power and corruption surrounding former Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, Dr Muhammad Yunus.

Following the removal of the Awami League government on 5 August, Dr Yunus assumed office as the Chief Adviser of the interim government on 8 August. Since then, several institutions connected to the Grameen network reportedly began receiving government approvals and benefits. Over the past months of the interim administration, a number of Grameen-related entities have obtained registration, regulatory approvals, and tax concessions.

Among the developments was the approval of a new private university in Dhaka named Grameen University. In addition, Grameen Employment Services Limited received a licence to export manpower abroad, while Grameen Telecom obtained permission to launch a digital wallet service. The government also granted tax exemptions to Grameen Bank and reduced the government’s shareholding in the bank from 25 per cent to 10 per cent.

Questions about transparency have intensified after labour law violation and money-laundering cases involving Dr Yunus and his associates were dismissed in court shortly after he assumed office.

Growing Complaints Filed with the Anti-Corruption Commission

On 26 February 2026, the Bangladeshi daily Bangladesh Pratidin published a report alleging hundreds of corruption complaints against advisers of the interim government. Following that publication, further allegations and reports began appearing in multiple news outlets.

According to sources, hundreds of written complaints have now been submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against former Chief Adviser Dr Yunus and members of his advisory council. Many of these complaints were reportedly filed within one week of the government leaving office.

An ACC official indicated that the volume of complaints being submitted could potentially set a new record. While many complainants chose to remain anonymous, several submissions reportedly include full identification and written documentation.

At the same time, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has launched investigations into several former advisers over alleged financial irregularities. Reports indicate that bank account information has been sought for individuals including Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Fawzul Kabir Khan, Asif Mahmud, Adilur Rahman Khan, and Khoda Bakhsh Chowdhury, a special assistant to the Chief Adviser in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

ACC sources say the allegations will be reviewed through standard verification procedures applied to all corruption complaints.

New Age Report
Questions about facilities of rural related institutions?

Questions About International Activities and Global Institutions

Several complaints have also raised questions about Dr Yunus’s international activities and institutions linked to him in different countries. Reports have questioned the financial sources and investment structures behind organisations connected to him, including initiatives such as Grameen America, a nonprofit microfinance organisation established in New York in 2008.

Critics have asked how such institutions were funded and what financial mechanisms were used to establish them internationally.

Comparison with Previous Caretaker Governments

Recent media reports have compared the current situation with earlier caretaker administrations in Bangladesh. During caretaker governments in 1990, 1996, 2001, and 2007, advisers typically oversaw elections before transferring power to elected governments. According to analysts, corruption allegations on the scale now being reported were not seen during those earlier administrations.

This has raised questions among observers about why such a large number of allegations have emerged against members of the most recent interim government.

Rapid Dismissal of Legal Cases

One of the most debated issues involves the rapid dismissal of legal cases against Dr Yunus after he assumed office.

Three days after taking the oath as Chief Adviser on 8 August, a Dhaka court acquitted him in a money-laundering case. In addition, a labour law violation case against Yunus and directors of Grameen Telecom, in which they had previously been sentenced to six months in prison, was also overturned shortly before he took office.

These cases were originally brought by employees of Grameen Telecom, who alleged irregularities related to the handling of funds and the creation of a trust structure linked to Yunus.

Critics claim the trust structure may have been used to manage funds from organisations such as Grameen Kalyan and Grameen Telecom, raising concerns about tax avoidance and financial transparency. Some complaints also allege that funds were transferred abroad during his tenure as Chief Adviser.

Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh, commented in media reports that when decisions involve institutions connected to the head of government, ensuring transparency and avoiding conflicts of interest becomes particularly important.

Approval of Grameen University

Another issue attracting attention is the approval of Grameen University, a private institution under the Grameen Trust. The approval was formally communicated to the university’s Board of Trustees chairman Md Ashraful Hasan on 18 March 2025, following a decision by the Ministry of Education.

A new private university named ‘Grameen University’ has received approval, bringing the number of approved private universities in the country to 116.

The approval came within three months of the application submitted on 17 December 2024, bringing the total number of approved private universities in Bangladesh to 116.

Some experts have suggested that approving a university linked to the Chief Adviser during his tenure raises potential conflict-of-interest concerns.

Recruitment Agency Licence

In January 2025, Grameen Employment Services Limited (GESL) received a manpower export licence (RL No. 2806) from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET). The company later became a member of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA).

Critics argue that the speed with which the company entered the highly profitable manpower export sector raises questions about regulatory fairness and transparency.

Ownership records show that 90 per cent of the company’s shares are held by Grameen Centre, while the remaining 10 per cent belong to Grameen Shikkha.

Payment Service Provider Licence

Shortly after Dr Yunus assumed office, a Grameen Telecom-linked entity, Samadhan Services Limited, received approval on 2 September 2024 to operate as a Payment Service Provider (PSP) after obtaining a no-objection certificate from Bangladesh Bank.

The company had originally applied for the licence in November 2021, but approval had not been granted for nearly three years. Critics say the sudden approval shortly after Yunus became Chief Adviser has raised questions about regulatory independence.

Changes to Grameen Bank Ownership Structure

On 17 April 2025, the interim government decided to issue a new ordinance restructuring the ownership of Grameen Bank. Under the new arrangement, the government’s shareholding was reduced from 25 per cent to 10 per cent, while shareholder ownership increased to 90 per cent.

The board structure was also modified, allowing directors to elect a chairman rather than having one appointed by the government.

Critics argue that such decisions regarding an institution founded by the Chief Adviser could create perceptions of conflict of interest.

In addition, on 10 October 2024, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) granted Grameen Bank a five-year tax exemption until 2029, restoring a benefit that had been withdrawn by the previous government in 2020.

Foreign Travel and Questions About Diplomatic Outcomes

During his tenure, Dr Yunus undertook multiple overseas visits, reportedly travelling to nearly a dozen countries within a short period. Many of these trips were linked to participation in international forums and conferences organised by global institutions.

Within a short period of time after assuming office as the Chief Advisor to the Interim Government of Bangladesh, Dr. Muhammad Yunus has completed several foreign trips. Most of these foreign trips were not based on any state invitation.

During these visits, he met or posed for photographs with world leaders including the presidents of the United States and China and the Prime Minister of Japan.

Some analysts argue that such visits often produce limited government-to-government agreements and may primarily serve diplomatic networking and international advocacy.

Alleged Allocation of Public Funds to Grameen Trust

Another controversy involves allegations that the Ministry of Social Welfare allocated approximately 700 crore taka to Grameen Trust without a competitive tender process.

Reports suggest that the project followed a Single Source Selection (SSS) procurement method, under which a specific organisation is directly awarded a contract.

Critics say allocating a large amount of public funds to an organisation founded by the head of government without open competition raises serious transparency concerns.

Financial Transactions Linked to Grameen Telecom

Several allegations relate to financial transactions involving Grameen Telecom, which owns 34.20 per cent of Grameenphone shares and receives substantial dividend income each year.

Reports claim that part of these dividends was transferred to other institutions, including Grameen Kalyan, raising questions about the movement of funds between organisations.

Audit observations cited in media reports noted that in one year alone Grameen Telecom received more than 8,080 crore taka in dividends from Grameenphone, part of which was reportedly transferred to related organisations.

VIP Status Controversy

Reports from Bangladeshi newspapers claim that shortly before the 13th National Parliament election, Dr Yunus issued a confidential ordinance declaring himself a Very Important Person (VIP) for one year, ensuring continued security protection from the Special Security Force (SSF).

Legal experts have questioned the decision, arguing that laws should not be modified to benefit a single individual. Critics say extending VIP status only for himself, rather than for other constitutional office holders, raises constitutional concerns.

The numerous allegations and controversies surrounding former Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus have generated widespread debate both within Bangladesh and internationally.

Observers note that determining the truth behind these claims will ultimately depend on transparent investigations and judicial rulings.