Why is investigation into corruption of Yunus and his cohorts moving slowly?

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is governing the country with a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, terrorism, and extortion. A female Member of Parliament from his party, accused of terrorism, was forced to resign. Over a hundred BNP leaders and activists have been arrested for various crimes. The Prime Minister has taken a strict stance to stop corruption. Therefore, it is naturally expected that whoever the offender may be, the law will take its own course against them. This intention of the Prime Minister ought to be implemented everywhere. For this reason, the general public expects a fair investigation into the allegations against Yunus and his advisors.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has already launched an investigation into corruption allegations against Yunus’s favorite advisor, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain. The allegations mention the laundering of BDT 11,000 crore abroad as well as monetary transactions related to various recruitments, postings, and development projects. According to the ACC, there are allegations of financial transactions totaling BDT 187 crore involving appointments in the Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka WASA, Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), and Gazipur City Corporation. Additionally, there are allegations of transactions ranging from BDT 2 crore to 10 crore for the posting of 36 Deputy Commissioners (DCs), commissions from various development project tenders, and irregularities in appointments, transfers, and promotions. According to the ACC, allegations have also been received regarding the acquisition of assets in Portugal, Dubai, Singapore, Australia, and Switzerland by laundering vast amounts of money abroad. On September 13, the ACC officially announced its investigation against Asif Mahmud. However, even after a month, no visible progress has been made. Asif Mahmud has not even been summoned to the ACC for questioning. This slow pace of investigation has raised various questions among the public.

Asif Mahmud is not alone; over the past two years, allegations of illegally acquiring assets abroad have been brought against at least seven advisors of the Yunus government. Among them are:

1. Asif Nazrul, Law Advisor to the Yunus government, who is accused of purchasing two houses in the United States in 2025.

2. Syeda Rizwana Hasan’s husband, against whom a written complaint was filed regarding the purchase of a flat in Dubai. The complaint states that her husband, Abu Bakar Siddique, bought the flat in September last year.

3. Adilur Rahman Khan, against whom a written complaint alleges that he bought a house in the United States in his wife's name in July last year.

4. Nurjahan Begum, who is accused of purchasing a house in New York, USA, in December last year.

5. Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, who is alleged to have bought at least three flats and shops in Dubai.

6. Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, against whom a written complaint was submitted to the ACC alleging he bought a luxury flat in Dubai in December last year.

7. Ali Riaz, who faces allegations of purchasing a house in the United States.

Although these complaints have been submitted to the ACC, the commission has not yet initiated formal investigations against them.

Earlier, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had recommended filing a case against Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor of the former interim government, on charges of abuse of power, irregularities in BTCL's 5G readiness project, and interference in ACC investigations. The ACC's inquiry noted preliminary evidence of widespread irregularities, abuse of power, and corruption against Faiz Taiyeb. However, seven months after the decision to file a case, no lawsuit has been filed to date. Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb left the country before the departure of the Yunus government.

The ACC also inquired into corruption allegations against Asif Mahmud’s Assistant Private Secretary (APS) and Information Officer. There is no progress in this investigation either. It has been reported that Asif Mahmud’s APS is currently residing in Dubai, with allegations that he manages Asif Mahmud's illegal assets.

There are also multiple allegations of corruption against Yunus himself. The ACC's silence regarding the investigation of these allegations has already sparked widespread public questioning.

Yunus and his associates have broken all past records in corruption and money laundering. A recent report revealed an unbelievable picture of money laundering and looting during the eighteen months of the Yunus government.

Within a year, the amount of money deposited by Bangladeshis in Swiss banks increased by nearly 41 percent. According to 2025 figures, the total funds held by Bangladeshis in banks in Switzerland rose to 834.1 million Swiss Francs (CHF). In 2024, the figure was approximately 590 million Swiss Francs.

Last June, during his budget speech in the National Parliament, Home Minister Salauddin Ahmed stated that alongside the institutional corruption, money laundering, and banking sector irregularities of the Awami League government, the 18-month activities of the interim government also need to be investigated by the ACC.

Rashed Ahmed, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, has also demanded an investigation into Yunus’s corruption.

When the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, and when influential government ministers and senior officials are demanding an investigation into the corruption of Yunus and his team, where lies the obstacle to investigating the Yunus government’s corruption? Why this slow pace in the investigation?

The government has taken a strict stance to curb corruption. Under these circumstances, it is imperative for the Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the corruption allegations brought against Yunus and his cohorts. Investigating the corruption charges against Yunus’s advisors would set an example in the country and serve as a step forward toward victory in the fight against corruption.

Audite Karim: Writer and Playwright

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