Fifteen months after the interim government of Prof Muhammad Yunus took charge with promises of “zero tolerance” and full transparency, those pledges remain largely unfulfilled.

None of the advisers have published the income and asset declarations they promised, while a stream of allegations – ranging from bribery to procurement irregularities – has been levelled against advisers, their staff, and in some cases their family members.

Although most of the accused officials deny wrongdoing and several have been removed, questions continue to mount over whether the interim administration has been able to protect its own image.

Three days after the fall of the fascist Awami League, an interim government was formed on 8 August under the leadership of Prof Yunus. The former regime faced accusations of unchecked graft, with ministers and senior figures alleged to have laundered thousands of crores of taka abroad. Restoring public trust and building a transparent administration became the interim government’s first major test.

Except for the student advisers, members of the advisory council were drawn from respected civil society figures.

In his first national address, the chief adviser announced a policy of zero tolerance and pledged that advisers would soon make their income and asset declarations public.

“The current government has taken a clear stance against corruption. All our advisers will publish their asset statements as quickly as possible. Gradually, this will be made mandatory and routine for all government officials as well,” Prof Yunus said in his televised speech on 25 August.

Following the announcement, the government drafted a policy framework for public asset disclosures. Yet a year and a half later, none of the advisers have released their statements. In the meantime, allegations of corruption and abuse of power have surfaced against several advisers, their personal staff, and their family members – charges they all deny.

In August this year, former secretary ABM Abdus Sattar accused several advisers of “extreme corruption”.

Though he hinted at specific ministries, he did not name individuals, but claimed to possess supporting evidence. His statement generated nationwide debate and criticism. The Cabinet Division issued an official rebuttal, yet the remarks nevertheless dented the government’s image.

Over the past year, advisers, including the two student advisers, have repeatedly faced accusations.

Student adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has been at the centre of multiple controversies, including alleged irregular allocation of resources in his constituency, issuing licences in his father’s name, and irregularities in procurement and tender processes involving the cricket board and sports council. He has consistently denied the accusations.

As allegations emerged against the personal staff of several advisers, those accused were removed. However, investigations into their activities have not visibly advanced.

After the fall of the Awami League government, Asif Mahmud appointed Moazzem Hossain as his APS on 14 August last year. The appointment was to remain valid as long as the adviser wished to retain him. Numerous allegations soon followed.

Similarly, on 2 October last year, Tuhin Farabi, from Noakhali’s Sonaimuri upazila, was appointed as personal officer to the Health Adviser. He had been involved in both the quota reform movement and the anti-discrimination student movement’s central medical team. He too faced several allegations within the ministry.

Both Moazzem Hossain and Tuhin Farabi were later removed amid accusations involving hundreds of crores of taka. Their dismissal was confirmed in a Ministry of Public Administration notice on 21 April.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) subsequently began investigations into both men. Using data from the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), the ACC collected their bank statements and reported abnormal transactions. An official investigation team was formed on 4 May.

Separate ACC teams summoned former APS Moazzem Hossain and personal officer Tuhin Farabi for questioning. Former NCP joint member secretary ABM Gazi Salauddin Ahmed Tanvir and Prof Mahmudul Hasan were also summoned, with notices ordering them to appear on 20, 21 and 22 May. Though they missed the initial dates, they later appeared at the ACC headquarters in Segunbagicha to give their statements. Since then, little further progress has been reported.

Another major controversy erupted after accusations of irregularities in the recruitment process at “Nagad”, a mobile financial services provider, along with alleged embezzlement of Tk150 crore.

The ACC summoned a personal official of a special assistant to the chief adviser, as well as the official’s wife – an action that triggered widespread public attention.

The official, Atik Morshed, visited the ACC office and spoke with investigators, though the agency did not confirm whether he was formally interrogated.

The ACC has confirmed preliminary evidence of irregularities in Nagad’s recruitment process. To investigate the allegation of embezzlement, Atik Morshed and his wife were summoned on 2 June with required documents. No further progress has been announced.

Questions have since emerged: when personal staff members face allegations involving hundreds of crores, can the advisers they served remain entirely above scrutiny?

Adding to the controversy, investigative journalist Zulkarnain Saer alleged that the husband of one adviser acquired property belonging to a fugitive former Awami League minister. The adviser concerned has not responded.

Over the past 18 months, the advisory council’s image has taken significant damage.

Analysts note that while corruption may have reduced under the interim government, it has not been able to escape the wider political culture.