ACC reinstates Sharif Uddin with seniority, benefits

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has reinstated former Deputy Assistant Director Md Sharif Uddin, nearly five years after removing him from service, following a High Court verdict declaring his dismissal unlawful.

An ACC notification issued on Tuesday said Sharif had been reinstated. He would retain his seniority and receive outstanding salaries and allowances under the rules.

Sharif was removed from his post at the ACC's Patuakhali office on 16 February 2022 under Rule 54(2) of the Anti-Corruption Commission (Employees) Service Rules, 2008.

Before his transfer to Patuakhali on 16 June 2021, he worked at the ACC's Chattogram office. There, he investigated alleged irregularities in land acquisition for a government project and recommended cases against influential individuals.

He also lodged a general diary with police, alleging that he had received death threats over his official duties.

ACC employees staged a human chain outside the commission's headquarters to protest the decision.

Legal battle

Sharif challenged the dismissal in a writ petition filed in the High Court on 13 March 2022, questioning the legality of Rule 54(2) and seeking reinstatement.

On 25 May 2022, the High Court deferred the hearing until the Appellate Division decided an ACC appeal over the dismissal of another official, Md Ahsan Ali, under the same provision.

On 16 March 2023, the Appellate Division allowed the ACC's appeal and overturned a High Court verdict declaring Rule 54(2) invalid. The judgment was published on 21 December 2023.

The Appellate Division directed the ACC to exercise its power under the provision with utmost caution and set out 12 guidelines for its application.

After publication of the judgment, Sharif's petition returned to the High Court. The court issued a rule on 6 February 2024 and delivered its verdict on 9 July 2025.

The High Court declared the ACC's 16 February 2022 dismissal order unlawful and void from the beginning. It directed the commission to reinstate Sharif with his seniority and outstanding benefits within 30 days of receiving a copy of the judgment.

ACC withdraws appeal

The ACC filed a leave-to-appeal petition challenging the verdict but later sought to withdraw it.

On 15 October, the Appellate Division's Chamber Court dismissed the petition as not pressed.

According to the court order, the ACC's lawyer told the court he had been instructed not to proceed with the leave-to-appeal petition.

Following the withdrawal, the ACC has formally reinstated Sharif Uddin, restoring his seniority and outstanding benefits.