The controversy surrounding Satkhira-4 MP Gazi Nazrul Islam exposes a gap in parliament’s mechanisms for addressing serious ethical misconduct by lawmakers, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said on Tuesday.
TIB called for an impartial and independent investigation into the unnatural death of 19-year-old Mariam Khatun and allegations of sextortion or sexual blackmail preceding it.
The anti-corruption watchdog also urged the Speaker and the Election Commission to clarify what measures can be taken regarding Nazrul’s continued parliamentary membership, saying the situation has damaged the dignity of Parliament.
TIB said the allegations against Gazi Nazrul include an extramarital relationship with Mariam, securing a job for her in parliament, allegedly luring her father with promises of obtaining a contractor’s licence and government work, and subsequently claiming Mariam as his second wife.
Nazrul was later expelled from his party following a party investigation that found him responsible for “moral misconduct”. He has also been arrested and placed on four-day police remand in a case filed over Mariam’s death.
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said no one can be held guilty before an allegation is proven.
“That said, even if no situation has arisen involving a vote against the party, it cannot in any way be acceptable that a person responsible for a situation that is degrading to Parliament and other Members of Parliament continues as a Member of Parliament,” he said.
He questioned how MPs, regardless of party affiliation, view the continuation of Nazrul’s parliamentary membership given the allegations against him and the party’s decision to expel him over “moral misconduct”.
“Why should there be no accountability mechanism for a person responsible for a situation that is degrading to Parliament?” he said.
“Such a series of serious allegations and ethical questions surrounding a public representative is an affront to the dignity of the National Parliament and deeply embarrassing for its members.”
Iftekharuzzaman said criminal liability would be determined by the court, while accountability concerning an MP’s ethics, use of power and public trust was the responsibility of Parliament.
“Therefore, the National Parliament and the Election Commission must immediately clarify what measures are being taken regarding his parliamentary status,” he said.
Constitutional threshold
TIB said Article 66(2)(d) of the Constitution provides that a person becomes disqualified from being a Member of Parliament if, upon conviction for a criminal offence involving moral turpitude, he or she is sentenced to imprisonment for at least two years.
“Therefore, the allegations, arrest, remand or the decision of the party investigation in the present case do not, in themselves, create a constitutional disqualification for Gazi Nazrul,” Iftekharuzzaman said.
However, he said Parliament must be protected from a situation in which the legal threshold becomes a safeguard for ethical misconduct.
“The provisions must be made clear regarding what measures will apply in cases of serious ethical misconduct, conflicts of interest, abuse of power, or conduct that undermines the dignity of Parliament or amounts to contempt of Parliament, and under what circumstances the cancellation of parliamentary membership or the vacation of a seat may arise,” he said.
He also called for investigations into all allegations against Gazi Nazrul concerning abuse of office and influence, particularly the allegations of sextortion.
Call for code of conduct
TIB said its demand for a specialized, comprehensive and mandatory code of ethical conduct for MPs was not new.
Iftekharuzzaman said when the Members of Parliament Conduct Bill, 2010, based on TIB’s original draft, was introduced in Parliament, the organization called for its prompt passage and the formation of an Ethics Committee with representation from all political parties.
The proposed bill included provisions against using influence for personal interests, conflicts of interest and making recommendations for recruitment, promotion or transfer.
However, the initiative did not become law.
TIB said the need for such legislation was recognized again during the state reform process following 2024. The Electoral System Reform Commission recommended enacting a separate Members of Parliament Conduct Act.
The Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission also proposed legislation requiring public representatives to update their asset declarations annually, TIB said.
“All political parties expressed unconditional consensus on this,” the organization said.
TIB said it reiterated its call for an effective code of conduct for elected public representatives in its post-2024 reform proposals and recommendations submitted to the government in 2026.
“The problem has been identified, and the way forward is also known. So why is there still no interest in implementation? This question must be answered,” Iftekharuzzaman said.
