Bangladesh to Probe Corruption Allegations Against Former President Mohammed Shahabuddin

Bangladesh will investigate former president Mohammed Shahabuddin over alleged corruption linked to his roles before assuming the presidency, days after he resigned citing ill health. The probe comes as the country begins the constitutional process of electing a new president within 90 days.

Law Minister Mohammad Asaduzzaman said the government was scrutinising allegations from Shahabuddin's tenure as an Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) commissioner and later as a director of Islami Bank Bangladesh. "The government does not want to do injustice against any person. But the allegations of corruption before his assumption of presidency are being scrutinised thoroughly," he said, adding that legal action would follow if evidence supported the allegations.

Responding to questions on possible arrest or a travel ban, Asaduzzaman said such decisions fall under the Home Ministry and depend on legal grounds. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed later said there was currently no legal basis to arrest Shahabuddin despite demands from some political parties. Bangladesh Bank also clarified it was not conducting a separate investigation into him.

The 76 year old resigned on Friday, nearly two years before completing his term, citing heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney complications and Autonomic Neuropathy. Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed returned early from overseas medical treatment to become Acting President, while Shahabuddin vacated Bangabhaban and moved to his Gulshan residence despite being entitled to stay for 30 days.

A 1971 Liberation War veteran and former judge, Shahabuddin was elected president in 2023 under Sheikh Hasina's Awami League and remained the last senior constitutional office holder from her administration after the 2024 student led uprising forced her to flee to India. His resignation followed controversy over reports that he spoke to Hasina after she announced plans to return by December despite her death sentence. Shahabuddin dismissed the reports as "baseless".

He had earlier said he was "humiliated" by Muhammad Yunus' interim government after his portraits were removed from Bangladeshi embassies and had planned to resign after the February 2026 election. Separately, complaints have been filed before Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal seeking an investigation into his alleged role during the 2024 unrest. The complaints are unrelated to the corruption probe, and no charges have been filed.