[🇧🇩] Corruption Watch

[Saif]

Corruption case backlog rises

The Anti-Corruption Commission is grappling with a growing backlog of cases as 8,330 corruption cases remain pending with various courts across the country.

www.newagebd.net

Corruption case backlog rises

Over 8,000 cases pending with courts, disposal rate falls

Solamain Salman

File photo

The Anti-Corruption Commission is grappling with a growing backlog of cases as 8,330 corruption cases remain pending with various courts across the country.

The backlog has been increasing every year, with around 2,000 additional cases piling up at courts over the past five years due to a poor disposal rate.

Besides, the disposal rate has also been declining gradually in recent years, also causing the backlog to keep rising.

Experts, including lawyers, said that the number of pending cases is going up mainly due to the non-appearance of witnesses and delays in trial proceedings caused by graft suspects through various means, including filing writ petitions against ongoing trials.

According to the latest ACC data, a total of 8,330 graft cases were pending across the country from 2004, when the ACC was established, till February this year -- with lower courts, the High Court and the Appellate Division.

In the backlog, 335 graft cases filed two decades ago -- during the now-defunct Bureau of Anti-Corruption -- are also pending with various courts while trial proceedings of 484 cases have been kept stopped following stay orders by the apex court.

The number of pending cases was 8,306 in December 2025, compared with 7,689 in December 2024, 7,278 in December 2023, 6,667 in 2022 and 6,373 in 2021.

Although special judge courts exist to deal with corruption cases, judges are often delaying graft cases as they simultaneously handle cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act and narcotics laws.

According to experts, judges tend to prioritise NI Act and narcotics cases as these are comparatively easier to dispose of within shorter time periods and help show better performances.

They also alleged that despite the ACC being an independent body, successive governments appoint lawyers based on political loyalty rather than merit.

Due to such politically influenced appointments, many lawyers lack accountability and often act in line with government interests instead of protecting the commission’s position, they added.

Former ACC director general (legal) Moyeedul Islam told New Age that the backlog of graft cases was growing as there was no specialised court dedicated solely to corruption cases.Campus bites reporting

He said that although special judge courts exist, judges conduct trials of various types of cases and there is little accountability regarding the completion of ACC cases.

To ensure accountability, the High Court Division in 2016 directed judges of special courts to submit monthly reports on the number of disposed graft cases, but the directive is largely being ignored, he added.

He also stressed the need for exclusive courts for ACC cases, establishing a permanent prosecution unit with skilled lawyers and ensuring supervision by the High Court.

An analysis of ACC data also shows that the disposal rate of cases is now around 7 per cent, compared with about 10 per cent five years ago.

The disposal rate was 7.63 per cent in 2025, 8.65 per cent in 2024, 10.17 per cent in 2023 and 10.08 per cent in 2022.

Politicians, businesspeople, former lawmakers, and ministers, as well as serving and former government officials, make up the majority accused in these cases, which involve charges such as bribery, corruption, embezzlement of public funds and, money laundering.

Allegations also suggest that many accused are influential socially, politically and financially, and they attempt to influence trial proceedings in various ways, which is another reason for the growing backlog.

If the trial of a graft case is not completed on time, it leads to prolonged justice delays, increases the backlog of cases, and weakens public confidence in the anti-graft institutions, said experts.

ACC public prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam told New Age, ‘We are working our level best to complete the trial in every case on time, but proceedings in some cases are delayed due to the non-appearance of witnesses.’

He, however, claimed that the completion rate in ACC cases had neither decreased nor increased significantly.

The Anti-Corruption Commission was established in 2004 in accordance with the Anti-Corruption Commission Act after abolishing the Bureau of Anti-Corruption.​

 

[Saif]

Govt must strengthen ACC, anti-corruption efforts

THE growing backlog of corruption cases that the Anti-Corruption Commission handles reflects a system in distress. With 8,330 cases pending with courts, the problem is no longer simply administrative. It is now institutional. What is also concerning is a steady decline in the disposal rate...

www.newagebd.net

Govt must strengthen ACC, anti-corruption efforts

THE growing backlog of corruption cases that the Anti-Corruption Commission handles reflects a system in distress. With 8,330 cases pending with courts, the problem is no longer simply administrative. It is now institutional. What is also concerning is a steady decline in the disposal rate, which has declined from around 10 per cent to little more than 7 per cent in recent years. This downtrend signals not only inefficiency but also a waning capacity to deliver justice in time. Delays are attributed to a range of factors, including the frequent non-appearance of witnesses, procedural stalling by defendants through writ petitions and undue influence exercised by the accused who are powerful. More than 300 cases dating back two decades, alongside hundreds stalled by stay orders, illustrates how deeply entrenched the crisis has become. Although special courts exist to deal with corruption, judges are often burdened with multiple responsibilities and tend to prioritise cases that are easier to dispose of quickly such as those under the Negotiable Instruments Act or narcotics laws. The practice, driven partly by poor performance of the commission, leaves complex corruption cases languishing.

All this results in justice not only being delayed but increasingly denied, eroding public trust and undermining anti-corruption efforts. The commission’s struggles also appear to be rooted in structural and political shortcomings. Experts have repeatedly pointed out that the absence of dedicated courts solely for corruption cases slows down proceedings. The High Court’s directive requiring monthly progress reports on corruption cases has largely gone unheeded, exposing a lack of oversight and enforcement. Also troubling is the allegation that the appointment of prosecutors is influenced by political considerations rather than merit. Such practices compromise the integrity of the legal process as lawyers may prioritise political interests over the commission’s mandate. The situation is exacerbated by the influence exerted by many of the accused, who often possess significant political, economic or social power. Their ability to manipulate legal proceedings contributes significantly to delays and weakens the prospects of fair resolution. All this is compounded by the commission’s current leadership vacuum. For about a month, the commission has been without the chair and commissioners, effectively paralysing its decision-making capacity. This absence of leadership not only halts ongoing work but also highlights a glaring legal gap as laws do not clearly define how the institution should function in such circumstances.

The government must, therefore, address the crisis with the urgency it demands. Restoring leadership to the commission is an immediate priority, but it must be done with a commitment to appoint individuals of proven integrity, competence and independence. Structural reforms are imperative, too. Establishing exclusive courts for corruption cases, ensuring merit-based recruitment of prosecutors and enforcing accountability measures are essential steps to improve efficiency.​

 

[Saif]

The Financial Express | First Financial Daily of Bangladesh

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Govt to review tax evasion by major companies

bdnews24.com
Published :
Apr 01, 2026 13:52
Updated :
Apr 01, 2026 13:52

The Bangladesh government is reviewing alleged tax evasion by major companies as it attempts to raise revenue amid the “three-sided challenge” of economic recovery amid various crises in the macro economy, the implementation of the BNP election manifesto, and rising fuel prices amid the war in the Middle East.

Highlighting these three challenges, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said the National Board of Revenue (NBR), which had investigated tax evasion by industrial groups close to the Awami League during the interim government, is being reviewed.

After meeting with the NBR on Wednesday, he was asked about the progress of the investigation and whether a new drive would be conducted. Khosru said, "Everything (was discussed). It's not just about one issue.”

"There are many issues involved. Everything is being reviewed."

Once the interim government took power, the NBR's Central Intelligence Cell launched tax evasion investigations into various industrial groups including Beximco, Summit, and S Alam. The agency also collected some of these taxes.

At the end of the meeting, the finance minister spoke about the challenges of preparing the next budget.

"The economy that we inherited... The economy is in a very bad state. We have taken responsibility for the economy. From that point, we first have the issue of salvaging it. By salvaging it, we will move forward with this economy and meet the commitments we made to the people in our election manifesto. So, resource mobilisation is very important.

"If we cannot mobilise resources, how will we do these things? On the one hand, we have to salvage the economy, and on the other hand, we have to implement the manifesto that we gave to the people.

He said, “On top of that, the bigger problem now is the war in the Middle East. This is another major problem. Here, a big issue is that we have to spend extra, we have to buy fuel at an increased cost. This is on top of everything else. So it is a three-way challenge, and a very big one."

Khosru said, "We have been discussing these issues for a long time, figuring out how can we deal with these challenges through resource mobilisation.

"So there has been a detailed discussion, but we have to review it constantly, we have to fine-tune it. When everything is complete, I will let you know. Now the review is underway."

He also spoke on the government’s opinion on LDC graduation this year, saying: "That progress... that will now go to ECOSOC (the United Nations' economic and social council), and from there it will be passed in the General Assembly.

"So we'll see what happens. That process is ongoing. Until something happens, nothing can be said with absolute certainty."

The finance minister also spoke about moving from a debt-based economy to an investment-based economy to increase the tax to GDP ratio.

He said, "We don't want to print money. So if we are going to do this, we have to form a budget while keeping in mind how to attract investment by domestic and foreign investors and create employment through that process. It should be that investors can have confidence in Bangladesh. What has happened, time and again, is that we have a big problem securing investment in the long term.

"If investors come in after a policy is formulated and it changes, it sends the wrong message. So we don't want to do that. We want the policies we implement to have a proper time frame, so that investors can make their own calculations and invest accordingly. So that they have assurance. If there is no confidence, no one will invest, either from home or abroad."

NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan and income tax, VAT and Customs officials were present at the meeting.​

 

[Saif]

Ministry refutes report on cost of 21-storey secretariat building

The Ministry of Housing and Public Works on Sunday refuted a report published in a newspaper, Prothom Alo, titled "21-storey building to be built at Secretariat at a cost of Taka 53,000 per square metre," describing it as misleading and based on incomplete information. In a statement, the ministry

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Ministry refutes report on cost of 21-storey secretariat building

BSS
Published :
Apr 05, 2026 21:13
Updated :
Apr 05, 2026 21:13

The Ministry of Housing and Public Works on Sunday refuted a report published in a newspaper, Prothom Alo, titled "21-storey building to be built at Secretariat at a cost of Taka 53,000 per square metre," describing it as misleading and based on incomplete information.

In a statement, the ministry said the report came to its notice recently and created confusion among the public due to the inaccurate presentation of project details.

According to the ministry, there are currently 12 buildings at the Bangladesh Secretariat constructed between 1939 and 2025. In response to the growing number of ministries and increasing demand for office space, a modernisation programme is underway under a new master plan to address shortages of office accommodation and parking facilities.

As part of the initiative, a new building is planned in place of Building No. 1, originally constructed in 1939, which is now 87 years old and vulnerable to earthquakes.

The ministry said the existing structure is not capable of withstanding an earthquake of magnitude 6 on the Richter scale. Construction of the proposed building is expected to ease space constraints for officials and staff.

Clarifying the project cost, the ministry said the proposed 21-storey building will include four basements and an underground water reservoir.

Excluding basement costs, VAT, income tax and profit margins, the construction cost stands at Taka 3,500.86 per square feet, while the basement portion alone will cost Taka 759.65 per square feet.

It said the published report calculated the cost in square metres, which led to a misinterpretation. The ministry also noted that the building is designed as a high-rise structure with each floor having a height of 13.5 feet and equipped with modern facilities.

These include advanced fire safety systems, solar panels, central air conditioning, heat-insulating low-E glass, rainwater harvesting system, modern facade lighting, car parking, and safe drinking water booth on every floor, among other facilities.

Considering all aspects, the ministry said the project cost is reasonable and justified.

The ministry also urged media outlets to refrain from publishing incomplete or misleading reports in the future, saying such information can create unnecessary confusion among the public.​

 

[Saif]

The Financial Express | First Financial Daily of Bangladesh

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MPS, THEIR COS HAVE TK33.3B DEFAULT LOANS

NPLs balloon to Tk 5.45t

Top 20 defaulters named in parliament

FE REPORT

Published :
Apr 07, 2026 00:15
Updated :
Apr 07, 2026 00:15

Bangladesh's banking sector is bearing a burden of non-performing loans (NPLs) having ballooned to some Tk 5.45 trillion as of December 31, 2025, underlining deep-rooted weaknesses in credit discipline and financial oversight.


The figure was disclosed Monday in the Jatiya Sangsad by Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, along with a list of top defaulters placed in the House.

He came up with the disclosure in response to a written question from lawmaker Md. Abul Hasnat of Comilla-4. The session was presided over by Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal.

In a move that sheds light on the concentration of financial risks, the minister tabled a list of the country's top 20 loan defaulters-dominated by large industrial and trading groups, many of which have longstanding ties to the banking system.

Multiple entities linked to S Alam Group feature prominently, alongside firms associated with Beximco and other major business houses.

Analysts say the clustering of defaults within a handful of conglomerates reflects "systemic governance failures and persistent concerns over connected lending".

Following is the list of top 20 defaulters presented in the House:

(1) S Alam Super Edible Oil Limited (2) S Alam Vegetable Oil Limited (3)S Alam Refined Sugar Industries Limited (4) S Alam Cold Rolled Steels Limited (5) Sonali Traders (6) Bangladesh Export Import Company Limited (Beximco) (7) Global Trading Corporation Limited (8) Chattogram Ispat Limited (9) S Alam Trading Company Private Limited (10) Infinite CR Strips Industries Limited (11) Keya Cosmetics Limited (12) Deshbandhu Sugar Mills Limited (13) PowerPac Mutiyara Keraniganj Power Plant Limited (14) PowerPac Mutiyara Jamalpur Power Plant Limited (15) Pacific Bangladesh Telecom Limited (16) Karnaphuli Foods Private Limited (17) Murad Enterprise (18) CLC Power Company Limited (19) Beximco Communications Limited (20) Rongdhonu Builders Private Limited.


The finance minister told parliament that the government, in coordination with Bangladesh Bank, is pursuing a range of measures to recover default loans. The steps include legal action under existing frameworks.

"However, recovery efforts continue to be hampered by lengthy judicial processes and court-imposed stays, which in some cases allow defaulted loans to be temporarily reclassified as regular."

Also disclosed in parliament that loans taken from banks and financial institutions under the names of current Members of Parliament (MPs) and their affiliated businesses total over Tk 111.17 billion or Tk 11,117 crore 31 lakh and more than Tk 33.3 billion of it is classified as defaulted loans.

The Finance Minister disclosed this in parliament on a question about the loan portfolios of the lawmakers in the newly elected Jatiya Sangsad.

The minister came up with the information during the question-and-answer session on the ninth day of the first session of the 13th National Parliament.

In response to another written question from Md. Abul Hasnat, the Finance Minister stated that the current outstanding loans taken from banks and financial institutions by MPs and enterprises owned by them amount to such a figure.

"A significant portion of these loans has already been classified as defaulted," the minister informed the House.

However, he added on a special note that "due to court orders or stay directives, a portion of these default loans may have been reported as regular loans".


Ballooning default loans from banks and nonbanks happen to be a big problem in Bangladesh's financial sector.

On this score, the minister said the government was preparing to take a tougher stance on mounting non-performing loans, with plans to publish a list of "willful defaulters" and introduce sweeping legal and institutional reforms to bolster loan recovery.

He was responding to a written question from Md. Abul Hasnat.

The proposed measures signal a more assertive policy approach aimed at addressing structural weaknesses in Bangladesh's banking sector, where loan defaults have accumulated to record levels.

A key element of the plan is the publication of separate lists identifying both general defaulters and "willful defaulters"-borrowers deemed capable of repayment but unwilling to do so.

Authorities also intend to introduce a cap on the total amount any private enterprise can borrow across the entire banking system, in an effort to limit excessive credit concentration.

The government is simultaneously working on establishing a legal framework to enable private-sector Asset Management Companies (AMCs), which would take over and manage distressed assets, thereby facilitating faster resolution of bad loans.

The finance minister outlined a series of legal reforms currently under way, including amendments to the Bank Company Act, the Negotiable Instruments Act, the Artha Rin Adalat Act, and bankruptcy laws, with the aim of expediting loan-recovery processes and strengthening enforcement mechanisms.


Officials are also seeking to address a persistent impediment to recovery efforts-court injunctions.

"Many defaulters file writ petitions that delay or suspend recovery proceedings. The government plans to consult the Attorney-General to devise measures that would limit such legal bottlenecks."

To improve adjudication, the authorities are considering incorporating experienced bankers into panels or jury boards in Artha Rin Adalats (loan courts), allowing complex financial disputes to be resolved more efficiently.

At the same time, policymakers are looking to introduce incentives for compliant borrowers. Existing policies will be updated to reward "good borrowers" who regularly service their loans, potentially improving credit discipline across the system.

The minister also indicates that some of the tough punitive measures currently reserved for willful defaulters could be extended to general defaulters through legal reforms, further tightening accountability.

In addition, the government is revising rescheduling policies for short-term agricultural loans to better support farmers.​