A decision has been taken to investigate the corruption allegations against former interim government advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan as they have been considered ‘actionable’, said Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Secretary Saidur Rahman Khan. However, without giving a clear decision on whether the initial truth of the allegations has been found or not, he said that the matter is now at the investigation stage.

Saidur Rahman said this in response to a question from journalists at the ACC head office in Segunbagicha on Wednesday (September 9).

A few hours earlier, Jatiya Nagorik Party spokesperson Asif questioned the ACC’s investigation at a press conference. He alleged that the ACC was being used ‘politically’ to harass him.

The ACC Secretary rejected the allegations and said, “Of course not.” Our Anti-Corruption Commission is run according to the law. The ACC is conducting its activities as an independent organization. We receive complaints here. We will investigate the complaint and then take legal action.

Commenting that Asif has the right to speak, he said, the commission will examine the matter.

Asked whether any preliminary basis for the complaint was found before the investigation against Asif began, Saidur Rahman said, the complaint that comes to the ACC first goes to the scrutiny committee. You have a complaint. Scrutiny in the context of the complaint. After scrutiny, there will definitely be a comment, a recommendation, an opinion. Based on that opinion, the commission decided to investigate in the next process. After reviewing the report of the scrutiny committee, the commission decided to investigate. After that, various documents were requested for the investigation.

In the face of multiple questions from journalists about the ‘primary truth’ of the complaint, the ACC secretary said that there is no opportunity to say anything final about it before the investigation is completed.

An ACC spokesperson had earlier said that the complaint against Asif had ‘primary truth’. When journalists questioned the matter, the secretary described it as a ‘slip of the tongue’ and said that he used the word as a slip of the tongue. In this regard, it was his personal mistake. However, the complaint was considered actionable for investigation in the verification report.

The ACC is investigating allegations of corruption and irregularities in transfers, appointments and promotions in the Ministry of Youth and Sports against 4 people including Asif Mahmud. The other 3 are – Secretary of the Ministry Mahbub-ul-Alam, Joint Secretary Sheikh Mohammad Jobayed Hossain and Deputy Secretary Masum Ahmed.

As part of the investigation, the ACC has sought information on the appointments, promotions and transfers of officials and employees during Asif’s tenure and related documents.

Asif questioned the rationale for the investigation at a press conference at the National Press Club on Wednesday afternoon.

He claimed that although the complaint mentioned the cancellation of the current duties of 38 Upazila Youth Development Officers, in fact the duties of 112 people were cancelled. That was done based on the ruling of the Administrative Tribunal.

He also questioned the allegations of taking about 2 crore taka in exchange for the promotion and posting of 150 assistant upazila youth development officers to their preferred positions.

According to Asif, the allegations were made on April 26, 2026 and the promotion order was issued on May 11. However, he resigned from the post of advisor on December 10, 2025.

His argument was that there was no scope for his involvement in the promotion.

In this regard, the ACC secretary said that the commission will examine Asif’s statements and further action will be taken according to the law.