The government is scrutinise various corruption allegations against former president Mohammed Shahabuddin during his tenure as chairman of the Anti‑Corruption Commission (ACC) and as a director of Islami Bank.
Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said that, considering public demand, these past activities will be investigated and legal action will follow.
He made the remarks around 1:30pm Sunday while speaking to journalists as chief guest at a reception and training workshop for new lawyers at the Chattogram District Bar Association.
The law minister said the government does not want anyone to suffer unjustly, but decisions will be taken after examining the allegations against the former president.
On the issue of electing a new president, he said that the government will proceed according to constitutional directives and urged citizens to place their trust in the government.
Highlighting corruption during the previous government’s tenure, Minister Asaduzzaman said that in the past 16 years Bangladesh lost $234 billion through capital flight — equivalent to two or three national budgets.
He also cited examples such as Tk280 crore allocated for less than four kilometres of road in Khulna, and Tk3,500 crore worth of Local Government Engineering Department projects in Pirojpur under a man known as “Maharaj,” which existed only on paper and were looted.
On the July uprising‑related cases, the minister said the government is committed to resolving them quickly. These cases will be taken to the speedy trial tribunal, and necessary measures have already been adopted.
The number of false cases has been significantly reduced and assured that the government will act if specific information is available.
Addressing the new lawyers, the law minister said there is no shortcut to becoming a lawyer — one must learn every day.
He urged them not to chase money but to dedicate their talent and effort to serving people and establishing justice. “If anyone from their own party is involved in corruption, lawyers should protest against it,” he added.
Around 1,054 new lawyers attended the event, which emphasised maintaining social respect for the profession and upholding professional integrity.
