Govt reviewing corruption allegations against Shahabuddin : Minister
- Update Time : Sunday, 26 July, 2026, 05:05 pm
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Online Desk : Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman has said that the government is reviewing allegations of corruption against former president Mohammed Shahabuddin relating to his tenure as chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and director of Islami Bank. He made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists after attending a reception and training workshop for newly enrolled lawyers organised by the Chattogram District Bar Association on Sunday.
The minister said that necessary legal action would be taken after completing investigations into the allegations in line with public demand. “The government does not want anyone to suffer unjustly. However, the allegations against the former president are being examined properly. Necessary decisions will be taken according to the law after the investigation,” he said. Regarding the election of a new president, Asaduzzaman said the government would proceed according to constitutional provisions and urged people to have confidence in the process.
Referring to corruption during the previous government’s tenure, the law minister claimed that $234 billion had been siphoned out of Bangladesh over the past 16 years, an amount equivalent to two or three national budgets of the country. He alleged that Tk 280 crore was allocated for constructing a road of less than four kilometres in Khulna, while a Tk 3,500 crore LGED project in Pirojpur was shown on paper and misappropriated.
On cases related to the July uprising, the minister said those cases would be transferred to speedy trial tribunals and that the government had taken necessary steps for quick disposal. He also claimed that the number of false cases had been reduced significantly. Addressing newly enrolled lawyers, Asaduzzaman said there was no shortcut to becoming a competent lawyer and that professionals needed to improve themselves through continuous learning.
He urged them to focus on serving people, ensuring justice and maintaining professional integrity rather than pursuing money. He also called on lawyers to oppose corruption even if members of their own political party were involved. Around 1,054 newly enrolled lawyers attended the workshop, where speakers highlighted the importance of maintaining professional ethics, social dignity and responsibility.
