ACC to launch graft probe into Yunus, ex-advisers

Reporter Name

Update Time : Thursday, February 26, 2026
28 Time

Hundreds of corruption allegations against the advisers of the recently departed interim government, led by Prof Muhammad Yunus, are being filed at the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) office. Within one month of leaving office, over a hundred written complaints have been submitted against these advisers.

A responsible ACC official stated that the rate at which complaints are arriving suggests a potential record. While most complainants have remained anonymous, several have submitted written letters providing their names and identities. ACC sources stated that these allegations will be verified using the same process applied to all other complaints.

The source further noted that corruption allegations have been raised against almost all advisers, including former chief adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. Multiple complaints have been filed against the former chief adviser.

Notable among these are details provided by employees of Grameen Telecom and several officials of Grameen Bank regarding how Prof Yunus allegedly embezzled funds from Grameen Kalyan and Grameen Telecom by creating a trust in his own name.

The allegations claim that Prof Yunus established this trust for the purpose of tax evasion and embezzlement.

It is further alleged that the sole purpose of this trust is to look after Prof Yunus’s family, and that he is evading a massive amount of income tax through this method.

Additionally, multiple complaints claim that Prof Yunus laundered a large sum of money abroad during his tenure as chief adviser.

More than a dozen allegations of corruption and money laundering have been filed against former law adviser Asif Nazrul. These include allegations of “case business” (litigation manipulation), “bail business,” judicial appointments, and other forms of corruption.

One complaint claims that Asif Nazrul embezzled tens of millions of taka through bail manipulation. This specific allegation involves a CEO of an industrial group who reportedly used fraud to embezzle property belonging to his brother and sister. Although the younger sister filed a case and the PBI found evidence of fraud, leading to an arrest warrant, it is alleged that Asif Nazrul accepted Tk200 million to order the bail of this VIP defendant.

It is also alleged that Asif Nazrul facilitated the bail of Taposh from Gaan Bangla Television in exchange for a large sum of money. Supporting information has been attached to this complaint. The allegations suggest that Asif Nazrul facilitated numerous bails for money over an 18-month period.

Furthermore, Asif Nazrul faces allegations of corruption regarding appointments. Complaints filed with the ACC state that he took between Tk5 million and Tk20 million for transferring judges in Dhaka and surrounding areas.

There are also allegations of massive corruption involving tens of millions of taka regarding the appointment of Sub-Registrars. Immediately after taking office, Asif Nazrul allegedly transferred sub-registrars in profitable areas such as Uttara, Badda, Gulshan, and Savar. It is alleged that he pocketed tens of millions of taka through these transfer businesses.

At least eight complaints have been filed against environment adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan. Among these, the embezzlement of funds from multiple projects under the Department of Environment is prominent.

Additionally, she is accused of forcibly occupying others’ property. The former energy adviser faces allegations filed with the ACC for taking a large sum of money from Summit. There are also allegations of illegal transactions with various private power companies. The former health adviser has been accused of tender manipulation and irregularities in hospital procurement.

However, the highest number of complaints has been filed against student activist and former youth and sports adviser Asif Mahmud. A responsible ACC source stated that there are allegations of corruption amounting to nearly Tk10 billion against him. Most of these complaints were filed by victims who provided their names and addresses. Evidence was also provided alongside allegations of taking bribes without delivering results. Asif Mahmud is further accused of money laundering and illegal Bitcoin transactions.

One individual has filed a complaint against former information adviser Mahfuj Alam regarding the acceptance of bribes for issuing TV channel licenses. Complaints have been filed against almost all advisers in this manner. ACC sources stated they are currently verifying and selecting these complaints. Those that show preliminary evidence will be brought under formal investigation.