Cabinet secy rejects ex-secy's graft claim against eight advisers
The Cabinet Secretary, Sheikh Abdur Rashid, has dismissed allegations made by former government secretary ABM Abdus Sattar accusing eight advisers of the interim government of widespread corruption.
In a statement issued on Saturday night on behalf of the government, the Cabinet Secretary urged anyone with credible evidence of misconduct to submit it to the appropriate legal and investigative authorities.
The statement came in response to remarks made by Sattar during a discussion organised by civil servants on Friday, where he claimed to possess concrete evidence of corruption involving eight unnamed advisers – though he did not reveal their identities.
“Some recent media reports have drawn the attention of the interim government, in which former government official ABM Abdus Sattar has raised unfounded allegations against certain advisers without naming them,” the statement read.
“We strongly reject these allegations. Making broad, unsubstantiated claims without presenting evidence or identifying individuals is irresponsible and undermines public trust.”
Sattar, a retired officer of the BCS Administration Cadre (1982 batch), currently serves as private secretary to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
He is also the General Secretary of the Officers’ Club and President of the Anti-Discrimination Employees’ Unity Forum.
At the event, Sattar expressed deep disappointment in the state of the civil service, claiming that bureaucratic integrity has significantly declined.
“I am deeply disheartened,” he said. “The character of our civil servants has either eroded or been compromised. But I can provide evidence of the massive corruption committed by at least eight advisers who assumed power on the back of the July Movement. Intelligence agencies already have proof of their wrongdoing – but no action has been taken.”
He further alleged that key appointments and transfers within the administration are being made only after consultation with these eight advisers, though he declined to name them.
The Cabinet Secretary reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to transparency, integrity, and accountability.
“If Abdus Sattar possesses verifiable evidence of any misconduct, we strongly encourage him to share it immediately with the relevant investigative bodies,” the statement read.
“Until such evidence is formally submitted and examined, we remind all public figures that national discourse must be grounded in facts, not speculation or baseless accusations.”