Dhaka — Outgoing interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus has been accused of amending an existing ordinance to declare himself an “Important Person (VIP)” for one year, drawing criticism from legal experts who say the move may contradict constitutional principles.
According to critics, the amendment was issued confidentially on February 10 by revising SRO No. 285 dated October 29, 2006. The earlier order had granted “Very Important Person” status within Bangladesh for a maximum of three months to the president, prime minister, and the chief adviser of a non-party caretaker government from the date of leaving office. It also extended the same status to the leader of the opposition in parliament from the date of assumption of office by the caretaker government’s chief adviser.
However, under the latest amendment, Yunus allegedly extended the VIP designation for himself to one year after leaving office, without increasing the time limit for others covered under the original provision.
Legal analysts have questioned both the secrecy and the substance of the move. They argue that laws cannot be tailored to benefit a single individual and warn that any such change could conflict with the fundamental principles of equality before the law enshrined in the constitution.
Critics say the decision, if confirmed, reflects a departure from established norms and raises concerns about transparency in governance. There has been no immediate official response from Yunus or his office regarding the allegations.
