Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been cleared of corruption allegations related to Bangladesh’s power sector, according to the final report of a national committee formed by the interim Yunus government. The committee concluded that there is no evidence of illegal financial transactions, suspicious bank activity, or personal financial involvement by the prime minister in any power generation projects under investigation.
The findings were made public on Sunday at a press conference held at Bidyut Bhaban in the capital. Earlier, the committee submitted its final report to Power and Energy Adviser Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan.
According to the report, investigations examined alleged irregularities and corruption surrounding major power projects, including Rooppur, Adani, and Matarbari. While governance and contractual concerns were identified in some cases, the committee found no proof linking Sheikh Hasina’s personal bank accounts or financial activities to illicit transactions. The report stated that long-running efforts to directly associate her with corruption were unfounded and politically motivated.
The committee noted that electricity prices increased following the agreement with India’s Adani Group, placing financial pressure on the government. However, it clarified that despite allegations of corruption linked to the contract, there is no evidence of Sheikh Hasina’s personal financial benefit or involvement.
Committee member Professor Moshtaq Hossain Khan of the University of London’s Faculty of Law and Social Sciences said significant irregularities and corruption indicators were found in the Adani contract. He added that the findings should be communicated to Adani and that arbitration proceedings in Singapore should be pursued without delay, warning that postponement could weaken Bangladesh’s legal position.
Responding to questions, Professor Khan said evidence of illegal transactions involving seven to eight individuals had been identified, including financial dealings worth several million dollars. All relevant documents, including travel records, have been handed over to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which has already launched a formal investigation. He confirmed that Sheikh Hasina’s name does not appear among those implicated.
Political analysts say the report undermines what they describe as an attempt to use the power sector investigation to damage the prime minister’s image. They argue that the absence of any evidence against Sheikh Hasina reinforces the view that the allegations were driven by political motives rather than factual findings.
The five-member national committee was formed on September 5, 2024, to review power and energy contracts executed under the Speedy Supply of Power and Energy (Special Provisions) Act, 2010. The committee was chaired by retired High Court judge Justice Mainul Islam Chowdhury, with members including BUET professor Abdul Hasib Chowdhury, former KPMG Bangladesh COO Ali Ashraf, former World Bank lead economist Zahid Hossain, and Professor Moshtaq Hossain Khan.
The committee was authorised to collect information from any source, review financial and contractual documents, summon individuals or institutions, and assess whether government interests were protected in the agreements.
The report ultimately concludes that while serious irregularities were found involving certain individuals and institutions, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was not involved, effectively clearing her of all corruption allegations related to the power sector.
