Sangsad Bhaban, Sept 6 (V7N) – Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury today said the government will continue legal action against individuals involved in corruption and will not provide them with immunity, while also clarifying that the government will not shut down a company solely because its owner or an individual associated with it faces corruption allegations.
Replying to a supplementary question from NCP lawmaker Abdul Hannan Masud (Noakhali-6) in the Jatiya Sangsad today, the minister said the government must distinguish between the legal identity of a corporate entity and the personal liability of individuals accused of corruption.
"There are principles in running an economy and the financial sector. Corporate identity is separate from the identity of an individual," he said. "If there is corruption against an individual, you can file a case against that person and bring him to justice. But, a company is a legal body."
The minister said shutting down a company because of allegations against an individual could create wider economic consequences. "Such a decision could affect employees, creditors, loan repayment and the company's contribution to the economy. The company has employees. It has liabilities. It has loans to repay and it contributes to the economy," he said.
The finance minister stressed that economic decisions must follow law and established financial principles rather than emotion. "An economy cannot run on emotion; it has to run on the basis of law," he said.
Khosru rejected allegations that Bangladesh Bank was violating the law by providing loan-related facilities to defaulting companies. "Bangladesh Bank is not giving anyone loans by violating the law," he said. The minister explained that companies could receive rescheduling or restructuring facilities only where the existing law and regulations allowed such measures.
"Where there is an opportunity under the law for rescheduling, the companies that qualify can take it. Those that do not qualify cannot take it," he said.
The finance minister said the government was pursuing two separate considerations:
1. Ensuring companies continue their legitimate economic activities where legally appropriate, to protect employment, economic activity and the repayment of outstanding liabilities
2. Ensuring individuals responsible for corruption face the law, with cases continuing against them
Khosru said the government was not protecting individuals accused of corruption. "Those involved in corruption are not being spared. Cases are being filed against them and the cases will continue. They will face action," he said. He reiterated that Bangladesh Bank could provide rescheduling facilities only within the scope permitted by law, and that the government would continue to deal with the financial sector according to legal and institutional principles while pursuing corruption cases against individuals responsible for wrongdoings.
The minister's remarks come amid ongoing anti-corruption efforts under the current administration, which has promised accountability and good governance. The government has also been working to stabilize the banking sector through reforms and improved regulatory oversight. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has been conducting several high-profile investigations into alleged corruption, including cases involving business figures and former government officials. However, business leaders and economists have expressed concern that aggressive prosecution of individual corporate leaders could harm economic activity and the business environment, with the finance minister seeking to strike a balance.
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