Unveiling history of plunder under Yunus administration

Unspoken chapters from Dr. Yunus’s one-and-a-half-year rule are gradually coming to light. Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, after an unprecedented mass uprising, leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement placed Dr. Yunus in power. The public hoped this civil-society-led government would establish good governance, eliminate inequality, and build a corruption-free nation. However, his tenure proved to be one of the darkest in Bangladesh's history, replacing good governance with autocracy, irregularities, and systemic bias.

The most alarming aspect was the rampant corruption. Within eighteen months, Dr. Yunus, his advisors, and his aides allegedly engaged in record-breaking plunder. Following the restructuring of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), thousands of complaints have surfaced—primarily targeting former ministers, advisors, and close associates of the administration.

Key Allegations Under ACC Scrutiny

• Overall Scope: The ACC has received over 2,000 complaints totaling at least BDT 40,000 crore in corruption allegations against former Interim Government officials.

• Asif Mahmud ShojibBhuyain: Formal investigations are underway regarding a BDT 13,000 crore corruption case involving money laundering to Portugal (property acquisition), Dubai (investment in Green Group), Switzerland, Singapore, and Australia through family network proxies.

• Dr. Muhammad Yunus: Written complaints allege over BDT 5,000 crore was laundered across four countries (USA, France, Switzerland, and Norway) into personal accounts and related institutions, including BDT 374 crore allegedly transferred to a Norwegian account from Telenor/Grameenphone.

• Asif Nazrul: Facing a dozen allegations totaling BDT 10,000 crore involving judicial/administrative appointment trading, bail commercialization, and offshore real estate acquisitions in New York, Florida, and Swiss banks.

• Syeda Rizwana Hasan: Allegations of BDT 8,000 crore involve her spouse liquidating assets associated with former Minister Nasrul Hamid Bipu to fund business ventures in Dubai and London.

• Nurjahan Begum: Accused of utilizing illicit funds to purchase luxury real estate in New Jersey under a close relative's name.

According to Swiss National Bank data for 2025, deposits by Bangladeshi nationals rose by roughly 41% to reach 834.1 million Swiss francs, up from nearly 590 million in 2024.

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Tax Evasion Case Verdict: Does It Open the Way for Trying All of Yunus’s Misdeeds?

The public now questions how a government formed on the heels of a mass movement devolved into widespread misconduct. Historically, elements of the civil society elite running foreign-funded NGOs have prioritized personal gain over public accountability during moments of political transition. The ACC's formal proceedings mark an initial step toward accountability, and citizens remain hopeful for impartial, thorough investigations into all former advisors.