Home minister calls for probe into corruption during interim govt

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday called on the prime minister to direct the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate alleged large-scale corruption that took place during the tenure of the interim government, both inside and around Jamuna.

Taking part in the general discussion on the proposed national budget in parliament, he claimed that the highest level of corruption occurred during the interim administration's 18-month tenure and said the allegations of widespread irregularities deserved a thorough investigation.

He suggested that the inquiry could be based on the white paper prepared under the leadership of economist Debapriya Bhattacharya.

Speaking at the sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal, the home minister criticised what he described as institutionalised looting and money laundering during the previous government.

He also urged the prime minister to instruct the ACC to investigate all activities carried out during the 18-month interim administration and make the findings public.

Referring to different allegations against the interim government, Salahuddin Ahmed said the July Charter had been signed through consensus in the national interest to facilitate a free, fair and credible election, after which the new government assumed office.

He also referred to a recent report by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), claiming it mentioned the highest level of corruption during the interim government's tenure.

"Although I do not have the report with me at this moment, the matter needs to be verified. The ACC should determine where corruption occurred during those 18 months, how it happened and who was responsible," he said, adding that the current government's foundation was transparency and that all allegations should be investigated impartially.

Comparing the country's past and present economic situation, the minister alleged that between 2009 and 2024, the absence of democratic accountability had created a "plunder economy" and crony capitalism.

He claimed that an average of US$16 billion had been laundered abroad every year during that period, with a total of around Tk29-30 lakh crore siphoned off over 15 years.

He also alleged large-scale banking loan scams, politically motivated bank takeovers and inflated costs of mega projects, saying expenses had been increased by up to 70% to facilitate the embezzlement of public funds.

According to him, one of the most dangerous forms of corruption during that period was "legislatively manipulated corruption", under which controversial measures such as quick rental power plants and capacity charges were granted legal protection through indemnity provisions.

He further alleged that Tk13.4 lakh crore had been laundered abroad through overseas recruitment and that 73% of social safety net allocations had been distributed on political considerations.

The home minister said the government has prepared a Tk937,000 crore budget despite inheriting a fragile economy and navigating the instability of the previous 18 months.

He said the budget reflected a new economic order formulated amid global financial uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, while safeguarding national interests during a difficult period.