Claims of widespread corruption and money laundering during the tenure of the interim government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus are drawing renewed attention, with a number of allegations reportedly submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
The allegations concern several former advisers, officials and individuals described as being close to the former chief adviser. However, the claims remain allegations unless established through a formal investigation and due legal process.
Dr Yunus assumed the role of chief adviser after the fall of the Awami League government following the mass uprising of 5 August 2024. His administration came to office amid public expectations that it would strengthen governance, reduce corruption and address inequality. Critics now argue that the period was instead marked by administrative irregularities, political controversy and allegations of financial misconduct.
According to the material provided, at least 2,000 complaints relating to alleged corruption during the Yunus administration have been submitted to the ACC. The commission is reportedly reviewing the complaints and conducting preliminary assessments to determine which cases warrant formal investigation.
One of the most significant allegations concerns former student adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan. The ACC has reportedly initiated an investigation into allegations involving Tk13,000 crore. The complaints cited in the report allege that money was transferred abroad and used for property purchases and investments.
The allegations refer to Portugal, Dubai and Swiss banks, while claims have also been made about the transfer of money to Singapore and Australia. According to the figures cited in the complaints, Tk4,500 crore was allegedly transferred to Dubai, Tk3,000 crore to Singapore, Tk2,000 crore to Australia and Tk1,500 crore to Switzerland, taking the alleged total to Tk11,000 crore.
The report also makes allegations involving other members of the former interim administration. Complaints reportedly accuse former adviser Asif Nazrul of financial misconduct involving around Tk10,000 crore. The allegations include claims of irregularities in the appointment and transfer of judges, legal officials and sub-registrars, as well as alleged financial transactions linked to bail and transfers.
Claims have also been made that Nazrul held assets or bank accounts overseas, including in Switzerland and the United States. The complaints reportedly refer to properties in New York and Florida. These claims, however, would require documentary verification before any conclusion can be drawn.
Former adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has also reportedly faced allegations involving Tk8,000 crore. The complaints include claims concerning assets allegedly transferred overseas through her husband, Abu Bakar Siddique, and alleged business activities in Dubai and London.
Another allegation cited in the report concerns former adviser Nurjahan Begum. According to the complaints, property was allegedly purchased in New Jersey in the name of a close relative. The circumstances surrounding the alleged purchase would need to be established through financial records, property documents and other evidence.
The report claims that, with the exception of a small number of advisers, complaints have been lodged against most members of the former advisory council. It puts the combined value of the alleged corruption linked to Yunus and his advisers at at least Tk40,000 crore.
The ACC’s reported approach is to assess the complaints first and proceed with formal investigations where preliminary evidence supports the allegations. That distinction is significant. A complaint does not itself establish guilt, and an allegation of corruption cannot be treated as a proven offence without evidence and due process.
The report also links the wider debate over alleged money laundering to figures concerning Bangladeshi deposits in Swiss banks. It states that deposits held by Bangladeshis in Swiss banks increased from around 59 crore Swiss francs in 2024 to 83.41 crore Swiss francs in 2025, representing an increase of roughly 41 per cent.
An increase in overseas deposits, by itself, does not establish that the money originated from corruption or that it was connected to any particular government official. Determining the source and ownership of funds requires separate examination of financial records and relevant transactions.
The allegations against the Yunus administration have therefore created a wider demand for scrutiny of the decisions and financial activities of those who held positions of authority during the interim period. Supporters of the administration and its critics have offered sharply different assessments of its record, making an impartial investigation particularly important.
For the ACC, the central challenge is to establish facts rather than rely on political claims. Bank records, property ownership documents, company transactions, tax information and evidence relating to international transfers would all be relevant to determining whether the allegations have substance.
The public expectation is that the same legal standards will apply to everyone named in the complaints. If evidence establishes corruption or illicit transfers of funds, those responsible should face action under the law. If allegations cannot be substantiated, that should also be made clear.
The investigation into the allegations against Asif Mahmud and complaints concerning other former advisers could therefore become an important test of the ACC’s ability to handle politically sensitive cases independently. Rather than allowing competing political narratives to determine the outcome, a transparent, evidence-based process would provide the clearest picture of whether the serious financial allegations made against the former interim administration have any legal foundation.
