A political storm has erupted after ABM Abdus Sattar, personal secretary to BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, claimed to possess proof of “limitless corruption” by eight advisers of the interim government.
Speaking at a high-profile seminar in Dhaka, the former senior civil servant alleged that intelligence agencies already have evidence but no action has been taken, without naming the advisers.
His remarks reportedly drew applause from senior bureaucrats present.
The accusations– unprecedented in scope since Professor Muhammad Yunus took charge as chief adviser a year ago– were swiftly rejected by Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid, who urged Sattar to submit all evidence to legal and investigative authorities.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir distanced the party from the claims, saying the remarks were entirely Sattar’s personal responsibility and affirming the advisers’ integrity.
Talking to BBC Bangla, Transparency International Bangladesh’s Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman and CPD’s Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya both stressed that Sattar should hand over documented proof to maintain the credibility of such allegations.
They also argued the Anti-Corruption Commission should act independently if needed.
Sattar has not withdrawn his claims, but has been unreachable.
The ACC has yet to comment.
As the political and civil society debate continues, attention now turns to whether the government or the ACC will initiate a formal investigation, or whether the allegations will fade without resolution.
