Bangladesh’s administrative structure is once again facing grave questions. An explosive allegation has surfaced against Muhammad Nahid Islam, one of the coordinators of the student anti-discrimination movement and convener of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), accusing him of taking Tk 35 crore in bribes to secure the appointment of the new Commerce Secretary. This allegation has sparked a nationwide uproar, throwing the notions of transparency, accountability, and justice within the state machinery into deep crisis.
According to the allegation, massive financial transactions took place to appoint Md. Mahbubur Rahman—accused number six in the National ID (NID) data-leak case—as Commerce Secretary. Yet, under prevailing rules, any official facing a criminal case is supposed to be suspended. Violating that law to install this controversial figure at the helm of one of the country’s most vital ministries is being described by administrative experts as an unprecedented irregularity.
Mahbubur Rahman previously headed the ICT Division’s Data Center. It was during his tenure that the scandalous leak of sensitive information of millions of citizens occurred. Public outrage against him has been brewing ever since. Even so, his promotion—and the bribery allegations behind it—have now taken matters to a new level.
Following the July Revolution, the interim government had promised a corruption-free administration. But this allegation against Nahid Islam, now serving as a government adviser, has proven that the old patterns of misrule have returned in an even more blatant form. Social media is abuzz with scathing criticism. Public sentiment is: “During Sheikh Hasina’s time, the big-time corrupt figures stayed in hiding out of fear. Now everything is an open secret—as if corruption itself has been granted legitimacy.”
The allegations don’t stop there. NCP, BNP, Jamaat, Gana Adhikar Parishad, and AB Party leaders are being accused of involvement in looting, bribery, extortion, counterfeit product trade, and even drug trafficking. From the wounded of the July Revolution to coordinators of the student movement, many are now allegedly busy with lobbying and deal-making. This reality shows that the state apparatus has effectively become paralyzed.
According to administrative experts, if bribery, extortion, and political lobbying replace merit, competence, and integrity as the main criteria for appointments, it won’t take long for the state structure to collapse. Development will stall, public trust will be shattered, and the country will fall behind once more. That is why launching a swift, transparent, and impartial investigation into the Commerce Secretary bribery scandal—and holding NCP leader Nahid accountable—has become the pressing demand of the hour.Bangladesh’s administrative structure is once again facing grave questions.
An explosive allegation has surfaced against Muhammad Nahid Islam, one of the coordinators of the student anti-discrimination movement and convener of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), accusing him of taking Tk 35 crore in bribes to secure the appointment of the new Commerce Secretary. This allegation has sparked a nationwide uproar, throwing the notions of transparency, accountability, and justice within the state machinery into deep crisis.
According to the allegation, massive financial transactions took place to appoint Md. Mahbubur Rahman—accused number six in the National ID (NID) data-leak case—as Commerce Secretary. Yet, under prevailing rules, any official facing a criminal case is supposed to be suspended. Violating that law to install this controversial figure at the helm of one of the country’s most vital ministries is being described by administrative experts as an unprecedented irregularity.
Mahbubur Rahman previously headed the ICT Division’s Data Center. It was during his tenure that the scandalous leak of sensitive information of millions of citizens occurred. Public outrage against him has been brewing ever since. Even so, his promotion—and the bribery allegations behind it—have now taken matters to a new level.
Following the July Revolution, the interim government had promised a corruption-free administration. But this allegation against Nahid Islam, now serving as a government adviser, has proven that the old patterns of misrule have returned in an even more blatant form. Social media is abuzz with scathing criticism. Public sentiment is: “During Sheikh Hasina’s time, the big-time corrupt figures stayed in hiding out of fear. Now everything is an open secret—as if corruption itself has been granted legitimacy.”
The allegations don’t stop there. NCP, BNP, Jamaat, Gana Adhikar Parishad, and AB Party leaders are being accused of involvement in looting, bribery, extortion, counterfeit product trade, and even drug trafficking. From the wounded of the July Revolution to coordinators of the student movement, many are now allegedly busy with lobbying and deal-making. This reality shows that the state apparatus has effectively become paralyzed.
According to administrative experts, if bribery, extortion, and political lobbying replace merit, competence, and integrity as the main criteria for appointments, it won’t take long for the state structure to collapse. Development will stall, public trust will be shattered, and the country will fall behind once more. That is why launching a swift, transparent, and impartial investigation into the Commerce Secretary bribery scandal—and holding NCP leader Nahid accountable—has become the pressing demand of the hour.
