A new debate has started regarding corruption during the interim government in Bangladesh. The reason for this is a report by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), in which it has been claimed that during the tenure of the interim government, people paid bribe of Taka 12,633 crore to avail government services. On the basis of this report, Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed demanded in the Parliament that all the alleged corruption that took place during the one and a half year tenure of the interim government should be investigated.
A new controversy has arisen in the politics of Bangladesh. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has demanded an investigation into the alleged corruption that took place during the one and a half year tenure of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. The Home Minister said in Parliament that maximum corruption took place during the interim government and it should be investigated by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). He said that it should be known where corruption happened, how it happened and who were involved in it. The ruling party MPs also supported his statement by thumping the table.
There is no investigation planned
However, government sources say that at present there is no plan to initiate any official investigation against the interim government. On the other hand, while talking to BBC Bangla, Asif Mahmood Sajib Bhuiyan, who was an advisor in the interim government, said that if there are allegations then they should be investigated impartially. He also alleged that the present government did not allow the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to function effectively for the last four months.
What does the TIB report say?
If we look at the report of TIB report, according to it, the national survey conducted between November 2024 and October 2025 found that bribery in government service sectors has increased as compared to before. 15,715 families were included in the survey. According to the report, during this period people gave a total bribe of 12,633.2 crore taka. Maximum corruption was found in Passport Office, BRTA (Transport Department), Police, Judiciary and Land Department. More than 86 percent of the people surveyed said that they do not get government services without paying bribe.
advice to improve the situation
TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman says that the interim government did not take strict enough steps to stop corruption. He said that if public disclosure of assets and accountability of government officials had been ensured at that time, the situation could have been better. However, he also clarified that this corruption did not start only in the interim government, but it is a long-standing problem. But this survey is of the time of the interim government, hence the responsibility for that period cannot be separated from the government.
At present this matter remains a subject of political debate. On one hand the Home Minister is demanding an investigation, while on the other hand the opposition and former advisors are talking about a fair and independent investigation. Now everyone’s eyes are on whether the government actually activates the ACC and gets this matter investigated or this issue remains limited only to political allegations and counter-allegations.
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