Controversial officer Sharif Uddin returns to ACC job after more than four and a half years

Controversial former assistant director of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Md Sharif Uddin has returned to the commission after more than four and a half years. He regained his job by court order after a long legal battle over his dismissal. The order reinstating him with seniority and all back pay and benefits remains in force.

It had been announced that he would formally join the ACC on November 1 this year. Accordingly, on Tuesday afternoon (November 10) he formally joined duty at the Anti-Corruption Commission office in Segunbagicha, Dhaka.

With his return to service, the officer is once again in the news. While serving in Chattogram, he came into prominence by investigating allegations of corruption in land acquisition, the forgery of national identity cards and passports for Rohingya, irregularities at Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company, and corruption at Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

According to information from the ACC, Sharif Uddin joined the commission on October 12, 2014. On December 7, 2016, he was posted to Chattogram, where he served for about three years. During that time he investigated corruption and irregularities in various government institutions. His inquiries brought up the names of government officials, political leaders and people connected with various institutions. During his service he filed nearly 50 cases and submitted more than 20 charge sheets.

One of his notable investigations was into corruption in the land acquisition branch in Cox's Bazar. That inquiry brought to light allegations of irregularities and forgery over compensation for land acquisition. He also investigated a racket making national identity cards and passports illegally for Rohingya. He filed cases over yaba smuggling in Cox's Bazar and against listed drug traders.

Sharif also investigated allegations of irregularities in recruitment, promotion and gas connections at Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited. On allegations of corruption at Chattogram Medical College Hospital, he prepared a 182-page inquiry report. Because of these investigations, he alleged that he received death threats while on duty and filed a general diary (GD) with the police.

On June 16, 2021, he was transferred from Chattogram to Patuakhali. While working there, on February 16, 2022, he was removed from service under rule 54(2) of the ACC Employees Service Rules, 2008. The incident sparked widespread discussion and criticism inside and outside the ACC. ACC officers and employees also formed a human chain in protest against his removal.

Challenging the validity of the dismissal order, Sharif Uddin filed a writ petition in the High Court on March 13, 2022. After a long legal process, on July 9, 2025, the High Court declared his dismissal order to be without legal authority and void from the outset. At the same time, the court directed that he be reinstated in service with seniority and all back benefits.

The ACC applied for leave to appeal against the High Court verdict. Later, the commission decided not to pursue that leave-to-appeal application. On October 15, the chamber court of the Appellate Division dismissed the application. As a result, the High Court's reinstatement order remained in force and the legal obstacle to Sharif Uddin's return to service was removed.