Complaints against Asif Nazrul under ACC review
Allegations of corruption have been raised against former Law, Expatriate Welfare and Sports Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, with a petition submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) seeking an investigation into alleged irregularities in judicial postings, bail decisions and sub-registrar transfers.
Barrister Sarwar Hossain filed the petition with the ACC on Wednesday (8 April), requesting an inquiry into Dr Asif Nazrul and his personal secretary Masum over alleged corruption involving the transfer of 286 sub-registrars within eight months. Barrister Sarwar Hossain confirmed the submission of the petition.
According to the complaint, a newspaper report alleged that large sums of money were exchanged in connection with sub-registrar transfers in the Ministry of Law during the interim government’s tenure, and that established transfer policies were not followed.
The petition described the process as irregular and called for a thorough investigation.
Sources at the ACC said more than a dozen complaints have been filed against the former adviser, including allegations related to case handling, bail decisions, judicial postings, money laundering and abuse of power.
Officials confirmed that all complaints are currently undergoing verification and screening by the commission.
ACC Director General Md Akhtar Hossain said that any complaint received by the commission is reviewed by a verification and screening committee before being accepted for formal investigation.
A senior ACC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the allegations involve claims of illegal asset accumulation and bribery-related corruption, which are being examined.
Dr Asif Nazrul has denied all allegations, stating that he has never engaged in corruption and owns no property outside Bangladesh.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, he rejected claims that he had purchased a house in the United States, noting that he had publicly challenged anyone to provide documentary evidence of such property ownership.
“If a house is bought in America, there is a record — no one can hide it. Nearly eight months have passed since I issued that challenge, yet no one has been able to show any address, deed, or evidence of a house belonging to me in the United States,” he wrote, adding that he has no property anywhere outside Bangladesh.
He also denied allegations of nepotism, stating that during his tenure he appointed nearly 5,000 law officers without appointing any relatives. He acknowledged requesting financial assistance for the development of Lalbagh Shahi Mosque and seeking support from the cricket board for Dhaka University’s playing grounds at the request of the university administration.
Dr Asif Nazrul served as Law Adviser and Adviser for Expatriate Welfare in the interim government following the political change in 2024 and was later given additional responsibility for the Sports portfolio.
ACC officials said that if the allegations are substantiated following verification, a formal investigation will be launched in accordance with legal procedures.
