Former assistant attorney general Md Abul Hasan, who was sacked earlier in the day, has been accused of embezzling Tk 32 million from a litigant under the pretext of ensuring a favorable court ruling.

The government did not officially disclose any reason for his dismissal on Monday.

Md Sarwar Khaled, a businessman in the housing sector, later brought the charges of embezzlement against Hasan.

Attorney General Ruhul Quddus Kazal confirmed receiving the complaint and said, “When AAG Abul Hasan was questioned, he could not offer any satisfactory response…”

Sarwar is the managing director of Silicon Real Estate.

He filed a written complaint at the Attorney General’s Office against Hasan, saying that in May 2024, a High Court rule in a writ petition by the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association had targeted Silicon Real Estate.

Hasan allegedly guaranteed the dismissal of the rule within three months in exchange for Tk 32 million, which was delivered through a mutual acquaintance, lawyer Md Fakhrul Islam, in multiple cash instalments.

Sarwar claims that even a year after receiving the funds, Hasan took no action on the case, repeatedly delayed proceedings, and refused to refund the money despite issuing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) when another lawyer was appointed.

Attempts to reach a compromise reportedly failed.

Sarwar also alleges that Hasan initially used influential contacts to gain trust, promising swift resolution and pressuring payment before the High Court’s closure.

Most transactions were in cash, mediated by a court-associated intermediary, with office staff as witnesses and full accounting recorded in ledgers.

Following Hasan’s refusal to cooperate, Sarwar and his team confronted him directly, requesting both the NOC and the refund.

Hasan provided the NOC but withheld the funds and subsequently avoided all contact.

Attorney General Kazal said, “I was informed of this complaint on my second day in office. After meeting Hasan, I found his explanation wholly unsatisfactory.”

The incident comes days after two other former assistant attorneys general Muzahedul Islam Shahin and Ahmad Musanna Chowdhury resigned citing personal reasons during an internal assessment at the AG’s office.

Hasan’s dismissal marks the first in the office tied to allegations of financial misconduct.