Asif Mahmud: The Poster Boy of Corruption

Before the July 2024 movement, very few students at Dhaka University knew him. However, after the fall of the Awami League in August, he became an overnight star. Among the participants in the quota reform movement, he emerged as the biggest beneficiary. He was appointed as an advisor to an exceptionally critical ministry—Local Government, Rural Development, and Co-operatives. Before even finishing his university life, he became a national policymaker. Over the past year and a half, despite failing to demonstrate any positive achievements as an advisor, he has earned a reputation as the "poster boy of corruption." Instead of good governance, his name has repeatedly surfaced over allegations of corruption, irregularities, and abuse of power. Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain has effectively transformed from a student leader into a controversial and corrupt figure.

On March 4, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) summoned Asif Mahmud’s bank account details. The very next day, Asif held a press conference releasing his and his family's financial statements. However, this move only fueled further suspicion. Mentioning two bank accounts under his name, Asif stated that a Sonali Bank savings account held BDT 9,930, while a salary account was opened after taking office. Over 16 months, his salary and allowances averaged BDT 165,000 per month, alongside TA/DA bills from five foreign trips. According to him, total credits to the account stood at BDT 8.581 million, while total debits reached BDT 7.603 million, leaving a combined balance of BDT 978,556 across both accounts.

Asif’s father, a teacher by profession, holds five bank accounts. Asif stated, "Across five accounts, my father has a total credit balance of BDT 547,711. He took a service loan of BDT 1 million, which is deducted monthly from his salary. With BDT 639,746 remaining on the loan, he is essentially in debt by BDT 82,035." Additionally, his mother’s account holds BDT 21,154, while his wife’s account contains BDT 613. The fact that a two-taka withdrawal was recorded from this account rendered the credibility of the statements laughable to many. According to analysts, nobody keeps corrupt earnings in conventional bank accounts.

Sources within the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) reveal that 11 specific corruption allegations were filed against Asif Mahmud between February and March this year. The key allegations include:

1.      Corruption in Development Projects: Allegations state that during his tenure as Local Government Advisor, Asif embezzled funds from various development projects. The complaint claims that 25% of allocations for ministry development projects had to be paid to the advisor as a kickback for funds to be released. His alleged press secretary, Mahfuz Alam, reportedly supervised this commission scheme.

2.      Bribery in WASA MD Appointment: Allegations surfaced regarding a multi-million-taka bribe involved in appointing Abdus Salam as the Managing Director of Dhaka WASA near the end of the interim government's term. Salam, previously an additional chief engineer at the same agency, already faced past corruption allegations and reportedly owns property in Canada. The complaint alleges Salam paid the advisor BDT 100 million to secure the position, with BDT 80 million transferred through Dubai's Al Ansari Exchange and the remaining BDT 20 million paid in cash. Following the BNP government's ascent to power, Salam resigned on March 8 after being asked to step down.

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3.      Bribery Trade in DNCC Administrator Appointment: On February 12 last year (2024), the interim government appointed Mohammad Ejaz as the Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) for a one-year term. The complaint alleges this appointment was finalized through financial transactions with Asif Mahmud, involving BDT 200 million in cash alongside a mandatory 10% commission on all city corporation contracts. After taking office, Ejaz operated recklessly, leading to his removal amid mounting corruption allegations. The ACC is currently investigating him, and the court has issued a travel ban against Ejaz following an application by the ACC on February 1, granted by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Faysal. Allegations involve cattle market leases in Mirpur Gabtoli, e-rickshaw projects, shares in Borak Tower/Hotel Sheraton, stall allocations in Banani Market, shop constructions in Khilgaon Taltola Super Market parking area, and city van services. Insiders close to Ejaz claim his aggressive corruption was driven by the need to raise funds for Asif Mahmud.

4.      Transfer Trade in LGED: The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) served as a primary source of illicit earnings for Asif. Reports suggest Project Directors (PDs) were appointed in exchange for large sums, and bribes up to tens of millions of taka were taken to transfer executive engineers to preferred postings. All tender work orders required financial settlement with the advisor before approval, failing which tenders were canceled. A major incident occurred on December 18 last year, when 16 executive engineers were simultaneously promoted to current-charge superintending engineers across key districts—an unprecedented move that sparked widespread tension. Earlier on November 3, Additional Chief Engineer Javed Karim was appointed as Acting Chief Engineer reportedly in exchange for a massive payout.

5.      Corruption in DPHE: Tens of millions of taka in corruption have been alleged across multiple projects within the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE). In July last year, a three-year rural sanitation project was launched, which became a vehicle for mass embezzlement. Asif Mahmud allegedly withdrew bills across at least 10 project locations without any physical work being performed. Financial transactions were also uncovered regarding promotions and postings within the department.

6.      Tender Misconduct: A written complaint to the ACC notes that after Asif took charge of the Local Government Ministry, tenders worth approximately BDT 35 billion were settled. Asif allegedly extracted kickbacks ranging between 10% and 30% on all tenders. His alleged press secretary intervened in every transaction before work orders were finalized. An audio recording documenting these transactions was attached to the complaint.

7.      Public Administration Placement Misconduct: Written complaints state that Asif Mahmud directly interfered in public administration postings from August 2024 until his departure. He reportedly issued 48 D.O. (Demi-Official) letters for Deputy Commissioner (DC) appointments across the country, resulting in 36 of his nominees receiving postings. Allegations claim that illicit payments ranging from BDT 20 million to BDT 100 million were exchanged depending on the district. Government officials also lobbied Asif for project directorships and promotions to Secretary rank, with lobby efforts commencing only after monetary terms were settled.

8.      APS Controversy: Upon taking office, Asif appointed his close friend, Md. Moazzem Hossain, as his Assistant Private Secretary (APS) through a written request. Moazzem quickly acted with impunity, engaging in open financial transactions within the Secretariat. Public arguments even erupted outside the advisor's office when contractors paid money without getting their work completed. When corruption allegations involving BDT 600 million were leveled against the APS, the ACC Chairman forwarded the file to the Chief Adviser. Rather than initiating punitive action, the Chief Adviser suggested removing the APS. Asif subsequently relieved his friend of his duties and arranged for him to move abroad. Multiple sources confirm Moazzem is currently in Dubai managing Asif's overseas assets, where the two have reportedly launched a joint restaurant business. A subsequent investigation into the APS's corruption was staged under Yunus's direction and remains ongoing.

9.      Contractor License in Father's Name: After Asif became Local Government Advisor, his father Billal Hossain's firm, M/S Israt Enterprise, was enlisted as an official contracting firm on March 16 last year. Following public exposure, Asif canceled the license; however, his father remained the primary controller of contracting work in the Comilla region, serving as the main point of contact for local works.

10.    Cryptocurrency Controversy: Asif Mahmud’s public disclosure of his bank accounts sparked widespread skepticism, with critics noting that stolen funds are rarely kept in standard bank accounts. Information from various sources indicates that the majority of Asif Mahmud's wealth is held in cryptocurrencies, alongside investments and property holdings in Dubai.

Having served 18 months as an advisor, Asif Mahmud remained a subject of intense controversy and allegations of misappropriating billions of taka. Nasir Uddin Nasir, General Secretary of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, demanded an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and a formal trial regarding these massive corruption allegations.

Commenting on the situation, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), stated that all such allegations require a fair and thorough investigation.