The High Court of Bangladesh has ordered Grameen Kalyan, an organisation founded by Interim Government Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, to pay 666 crore taka (approximately £48 million) in outstanding taxes to the National Revenue Board (NBR).
A High Court bench presided over by Justice Md. Mozibur Rahman Miah delivered the verdict after discharging the rule previously issued in connection with a writ petition filed by Grameen Kalyan challenging the tax demand. Following this ruling, the non-profit entity is now legally obligated to settle the total tax assessment, which spans three consecutive financial years.
The legal dispute traces back to income tax assessments raised by the NBR regarding Grameen Kalyan’s operations. The organisation had originally approached the High Court to contest the revenue authority’s claims, arguing against the validity of the tax demands. After hearing arguments from both sides over multiple sessions, the court concluded that the tax demands levied by the NBR were lawful and valid, thereby dismissing the petitioner’s plea.
Dr Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate renowned for pioneering microfinance and social business through Grameen Bank, established Grameen Kalyan as a welfare enterprise focused on improving healthcare and social services for rural communities. Over recent years, several institutions affiliated with the economist have faced scrutiny from regulatory and tax authorities regarding financial management, tax exemptions, and labour law compliance. Representatives for Dr Yunus have consistently maintained that all associated institutions adhere strictly to existing financial regulations and legal protocols.
This judgment arrives at a critical period, amidst ongoing public and political attention surrounding the legal challenges faced by Dr Yunus and his affiliated institutions. Legal counsel representing Grameen Kalyan is expected to review the full text of the High Court’s judgment to evaluate potential avenues for an appeal before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.
