Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has questioned how Gazi Nazrul Islam, the Member of Parliament from Satkhira-4, continues to retain his parliamentary membership despite facing severe allegations of moral misconduct, abuse of office, and involvement in an unnatural death case.
In a press statement, the anti-corruption watchdog called for an immediate, impartial, and independent investigation into the unnatural death of 19-year-old Mariam Khatun and the allegations of sextortion or sexual blackmail preceding it.
The organisation urged the Speaker of Parliament to determine measures to address the situation damaging to parliamentary dignity and reiterated its call for the immediate enactment of a mandatory code of ethical conduct for public representatives.
According to TIB, allegations against Gazi Nazrul include maintaining an extramarital relationship with Mariam, securing a job for her in Parliament, and luring her father with promises of obtaining a contractor’s licence and securing government work for him.
He subsequently claimed Mariam as his second wife before being expelled from his political party following an internal investigation that found him guilty of “moral misconduct.”
Gazi Nazrul has now been arrested and placed on a four-day police remand in a case concerning abetment to suicide over Mariam’s unnatural death.
Commenting on the matter, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said while no person can be held guilty before an allegation is proven, it is unacceptable for a lawmaker responsible for a situation degrading to Parliament to continue as a Member of Parliament.
He stressed that while criminal liability will be determined by the court, ensuring accountability regarding an MP’s ethics, use of power, and public trust remains the responsibility of Parliament.
Dr Zaman urged the National Parliament and Election Commission to immediately clarify what measures are being taken regarding Gazi Nazrul’s parliamentary status, mentioning that his continued tenure is an affront to parliamentary dignity and deeply embarrassing for fellow lawmakers.
Clarifying the legal framework, Dr Zaman said under Article 66(2)(d) of the Constitution, a person becomes disqualified from being a Member of Parliament only if convicted of a criminal offence involving moral turpitude and sentenced to imprisonment for at least two years.
Consequently, the current allegations, arrest, police remand, or party expulsion do not, in themselves, create a constitutional disqualification for Gazi Nazrul.
However, Dr Zaman warned against turning this legal threshold into a safeguard for ethical misconduct, insisting that clear provisions must be established regarding conflicts of interest, abuse of power, and conduct amounting to contempt of Parliament.
He also demanded full accountability through an investigation into all allegations of abuse of office and influence against Gazi Nazrul, particularly the claims of sextortion.
Highlighting the historical context, Dr Zaman recalled that when The Members of Parliament Conduct Bill, 2010 – based on TIB’s original draft – was introduced in Parliament, TIB called for its prompt passage and the formation of an all-party Ethics Committee.
The proposed 2010 bill included provisions prohibiting lawmakers from using influence for personal interests, avoiding conflicts of interest, and making recommendations for recruitment, promotion, or transfer, though it ultimately failed to become law.
Following 2024, the Electoral System Reform Commission recommended enacting a separate Members of Parliament Conduct Act, while the Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission proposed requiring public representatives to update their asset declarations annually.
Although all political parties expressed unconditional consensus on these measures and TIB reiterated its recommendations to the current government in 2026, effective legislative measures have yet to be implemented to curb moral misconduct among public representatives.
