Following the mass uprising of August 5, 2024, the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus assumed power, raising slogans for a discrimination-free society and zero tolerance against corruption. Expectations among the general public were sky-high for this administration, comprised of prominent civil society figures. However, within a mere year and a half, those expectations have crumbled into dust. Under the guise of sweet talk about good governance and reforms, the Yunus government actually established an unprecedented regime of plunder and autocracy. As the mountain of allegations submitted to the recently reconstituted Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) opens up, the hideous face of corruption among the top officials of this government is coming to light. Initial investigations reveal that in just 18 months, allegations against Yunus, his advisers, and close associates have crossed nearly BDT 40,000 crore.

Adviser Asif’s BDT 13,000 Crore Empire and Laundering Across 4 Countries

Former student adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain has emerged as one of the primary poster boys for corruption in the Yunus government. The ACC documents reveal corruption allegations against him alone totaling nearly BDT 13,000 crore. The ACC has received initial information that this vast sum of illicit money, acquired through abuse of power, was laundered abroad. Specific information has been found regarding Asif Mahmud’s heavy investments in Dubai's 'Green Group,' land purchases in Portugal, and massive deposits in Swiss banks.

According to ACC calculations, Asif Mahmud’s syndicate laundered BDT 11,000 crore across just four countries: BDT 4,500 crore in Dubai, BDT 3,000 crore in Singapore, BDT 2,000 crore in Australia, and BDT 1,500 crore in Switzerland. Asif utilized his two brothers-in-law and a nephew to transfer the proceeds of this massive plunder. The ACC has already initiated a formal inquiry and investigation against him.

From Swiss Francs to New York Mansions: Fraud by the Chief Adviser and Top Associates

Even Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus himself has not escaped the allegations. Documents state that taking advantage of his position, he laundered at least BDT 5,000 crore to four countries: the United States, France, Switzerland, and Norway. In particular, the ACC is reviewing a specific written complaint regarding BDT 374 crore deposited directly into his personal account in Norway from the foreign multinational company 'Telenor.' It is suspected that this transaction took place in exchange for granting special privileges to Grameenphone.

On the other hand, a dozen allegations totaling at least BDT 10,000 crore have been lodged against former legal adviser Asif Nazrul through extortion schemes involving the appointment and transfer of judges and sub-registrars, as well as bail trading. With these illicit gains, he reportedly built vast anonymous assets in New York and Florida, and opened secret accounts in Swiss banks.

Allegations of BDT 8,000 crore in corruption have surfaced against another highly influential adviser, Syeda Rizwana Hasan. Information has emerged that her husband, Abu Bakar Siddique, sold off the massive assets of former minister Nasrul Hamid Bipu to expand businesses in Dubai and London. Furthermore, another adviser, Noorjahan Begum, reportedly purchased a luxury mansion in New Jersey, USA, in the name of a close relative.

The Yunus 'Dark Era' Reflected in Statistics

Data recently published by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) ruthlessly exposes Dr. Yunus’s claims of corruption-free governance as false. While Bangladeshi deposits in Swiss banks stood at 590 million Swiss francs in 2024, the figures for 2025 jumped by nearly 41 percent to 834.1 million Swiss francs. This statistic clearly reflects how billions of dollars were siphoned abroad from the state treasury and government policy-making spheres using political influence.

Extreme Moral Bankruptcy of Civil Society

Much like the 1-11 era in Bangladesh's history, the post-'24 civil society rushed to line their own pockets the moment they seized power. Dependent on NGOs and foreign funding, these individuals possessed no accountability toward the country's citizens. The interim government led by Dr. Yunus not only staged a drama of reforms after seizing power, but also shattered all past records of corruption and deceit. As time progresses, the list of misdeeds during the 1.5-year tenure of this so-called civil government grows longer and more stained.

Fair Investigation and the Public's Demand

The masks of those who abused power under the pretext of good governance and mob violence are beginning to fall off. The public has felt a sense of relief as the ACC courageously and impartially launched investigations against top corrupt figures, including Asif Mahmud. Conscious citizens believe this is merely a preliminary step. A neutral, transparent, and rigorous legal process must be ensured for every allegation raised against all advisers of the interim government and their beneficiary network. Returning the looted tens of thousands of crores and bringing the perpetrators to exemplary justice is the paramount demand of our time.

Author: Ashru Hashi, Politician, Columnist, and Political Analyst