By Sheikh Arif (Dhaka Bureau)
A formal complaint has been lodged with Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against Asif Nazrul, the former Law Adviser of the interim government, and his Personal Secretary (PS), Shamsuddin Masum. A Supreme Court lawyer officially submitted the allegations on Wednesday, claiming large-scale financial irregularities involving the transfer of sub-registrars within the Directorate of Land Registration.
The complaint, filed by Barrister M. Sarwar Hossain, alleges that an extensive ‘transfer syndicate’ operated between October 2024 and April 2025, covering the reassignment of 286 sub-registrars. According to the allegations, bribes ranging from BDT 5 to 6 million (approximately USD 40,000–50,000) were demanded from officials in exchange for favorable postings.
The petition further claims that established government grading and seniority protocols were bypassed, allowing junior officers to secure prestigious positions through illicit payments. Conversely, senior officers who refused to comply were reportedly reassigned to less significant or remote locations.
Speaking to journalists, Barrister Sarwar Hossain stated, ‘We urge the ACC to uncover the truth through an independent investigation. If these allegations are baseless, the former adviser’s reputation will be upheld. However, if they are proven true, ensuring the accountability of an administration that promised reform is essential.’
The complaint specifically highlights the role of Shamsuddin Masum, Nazrul’s PS, accusing him of exerting absolute influence over administrative and legal processes-a practice the lawyer claimed had become an ‘open secret’ within official circles.
These allegations emerge at a critical juncture as Bangladesh undergoes a profound political transition following the August 2024 mass uprising. A primary objective of the interim administration was to eradicate corruption and depoliticize state institutions. The surfacing of such allegations against a high-ranking figure of that reformist period has sparked significant public concern.
While bribery and political patronage in bureaucratic transfers have long plagued Bangladesh, the substantiation of such claims against the post-transition leadership would pose a serious challenge to the ongoing demands for systemic state reform.
To date, neither Asif Nazrul nor Shamsuddin Masum has issued a formal response to these allegations. The Anti-Corruption Commission has yet to announce a final decision regarding the commencement of a formal inquiry.
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The Author:
Sheikh Arif: Senior Journalist and Panel Editor, Pressenza Dhaka Bureau.
