Seven decades of corruption, on the record.

Scandals, verdicts and reforms in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, civil and military, each with its outcome, including acquittals.

Compare the three

4 civil5 military3 reforms

1948MilitaryThe jeep dealParliamentary inquiry; no prosecution
Army jeeps bought in London through the High Commission arrive late and unusable. It becomes independent India's first procurement scandal.
OutcomeParliamentary inquiry; no prosecution
1958CivilThe Mundhra affairFinance Minister T.T. Krishnamachari resigns after a judicial inquiry
State insurer LIC puts public money into shares of businessman Haridas Mundhra's companies.
OutcomeFinance Minister T.T. Krishnamachari resigns after a judicial inquiry
1964ReformCentral Vigilance CommissionStill in force
Set up on the Santhanam Committee's advice to oversee corruption in central government.
OutcomeStill in force
1987MilitaryBofors howitzersDelhi High Court quashes charges against key accused in 2005
Swedish radio reports kickbacks in India's artillery deal with Bofors. The scandal helps bring down the government in 1989.
OutcomeDelhi High Court quashes charges against key accused in 2005
1996CivilFodder scamFormer chief minister Lalu Prasad convicted from 2013 onwards
Hundreds of crores drawn from Bihar's treasury against fake bills for animal feed and medicine.
OutcomeFormer chief minister Lalu Prasad convicted from 2013 onwards
2001MilitaryOperation West EndFormer BJP president Bangaru Laxman convicted in 2012
A Tehelka sting films politicians and officials taking cash from reporters posing as arms dealers.
OutcomeFormer BJP president Bangaru Laxman convicted in 2012
2005ReformRight to Information ActStill in force
Citizens gain a legal right to demand government records, a key tool for exposing corruption.
OutcomeStill in force
2010MilitaryAdarsh Housing SocietyChief Minister Ashok Chavan resigns in 2010
A Mumbai tower on defence land, meant for war widows and veterans, is found to house politicians, officials and officers.
OutcomeChief Minister Ashok Chavan resigns in 2010
2012CivilCoal block allocationsSupreme Court cancels 214 allocations in 2014
The auditor questions how coal blocks were handed out without auction.
OutcomeSupreme Court cancels 214 allocations in 2014
2013ReformLokpal ActFirst Lokpal appointed in 2019
Passed after the 2011 anti-corruption movement to create an ombudsman for top officials.
OutcomeFirst Lokpal appointed in 2019
2016MilitaryAgustaWestland helicoptersCharged in 2017; trial pending, he denies wrongdoing
The CBI arrests former Air Chief S.P. Tyagi over bribery allegations in a VVIP helicopter deal.
OutcomeCharged in 2017; trial pending, he denies wrongdoing
2024CivilElectoral bonds struck downSupreme Court rules the scheme unconstitutional in February 2024
Anonymous political donations through electoral bonds are challenged in court.
OutcomeSupreme Court rules the scheme unconstitutional in February 2024

5 civil4 military2 reforms

1949ReformPRODALater used selectively against opponents
A law allowing politicians to be disqualified for misconduct in public office.
OutcomeLater used selectively against opponents
1959MilitaryEBDO disqualificationsWidely seen as a political purge
Ayub Khan's military government bars thousands of politicians from office on corruption grounds.
OutcomeWidely seen as a political purge
1968CivilThe 22 familiesFuels the 1968–69 protests
Planning Commission economist Mahbub ul Haq says 22 families control most of the country's industry, banking and insurance.
OutcomeFuels the 1968–69 protests
1990MilitaryMehran Bank fundsSupreme Court rules against former army and ISI chiefs in 2012 (Asghar Khan case)
Intelligence officials distribute money to politicians to shape the 1990 election.
OutcomeSupreme Court rules against former army and ISI chiefs in 2012 (Asghar Khan case)
1999ReformNational Accountability BureauCritics say it targets opponents of whoever is in power
Created by Musharraf's government to prosecute corruption.
OutcomeCritics say it targets opponents of whoever is in power
2007CivilNational Reconciliation OrdinanceSupreme Court strikes it down in 2009
An amnesty withdraws corruption cases against thousands of politicians and officials.
OutcomeSupreme Court strikes it down in 2009
2012CivilPM disqualified over Swiss letterConvicted of contempt and disqualified in 2012
Yousaf Raza Gilani refuses to ask Swiss authorities to reopen money-laundering cases against the president.
OutcomeConvicted of contempt and disqualified in 2012
2016MilitaryGenerals dismissedRemoved from service with benefits withdrawn
The army chief dismisses six officers, including a lieutenant general and a major general, over corruption in Balochistan.
OutcomeRemoved from service with benefits withdrawn
2017CivilPanama PapersDisqualified 2017, convicted 2018, acquitted on appeal 2023
Leaked documents link Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's family to offshore companies owning London flats.
OutcomeDisqualified 2017, convicted 2018, acquitted on appeal 2023
2025CivilAl-Qadir Trust caseSentenced January 2025; appeals pending
Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are convicted over £190m returned by UK authorities.
OutcomeSentenced January 2025; appeals pending
2025MilitaryFormer ISI chief court-martialledSentenced to 14 years in December 2025; appeal filed
Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed is convicted on four charges including misuse of authority.
OutcomeSentenced to 14 years in December 2025; appeal filed

7 civil4 military1 reforms

1990MilitaryFall of ErshadConvicted in the Janata Tower case; acquitted in others
Military ruler H.M. Ershad resigns after mass protests; corruption cases follow.
OutcomeConvicted in the Janata Tower case; acquitted in others
2001CivilBottom of the indexLast place five years running, 2001–2005
Bangladesh is ranked the most corrupt country on Transparency International's index.
OutcomeLast place five years running, 2001–2005
2004ReformAnti-Corruption CommissionStill in force
An independent commission replaces the old anti-corruption bureau.
OutcomeStill in force
2007MilitaryArmy-backed caretaker driveMany cases later dropped or overturned
A military-backed interim government arrests politicians and businesspeople, including both main party leaders.
OutcomeMany cases later dropped or overturned
2012CivilPadma BridgeA Canadian court acquits the accused executives in 2017
The World Bank cancels a $1.2bn loan, alleging a bribery conspiracy.
OutcomeA Canadian court acquits the accused executives in 2017
2012CivilHall-Mark loan scamBank officials and company owners prosecuted
A little-known group draws thousands of crores of taka from state-owned Sonali Bank using fake documents.
OutcomeBank officials and company owners prosecuted
2018CivilZia Orphanage TrustAcquitted by the Supreme Court in January 2025
Former PM Khaleda Zia is jailed over misuse of foreign donations to a charity.
OutcomeAcquitted by the Supreme Court in January 2025
2021MilitaryAll the Prime Minister's MenThe government and army reject the report
An Al Jazeera investigation alleges the army chief helped his brothers evade justice.
OutcomeThe government and army reject the report
2024MilitaryUS designates former army chiefHe denies the allegations; no Bangladeshi court ruling
The US names Gen (retd) Aziz Ahmed for significant corruption.
OutcomeHe denies the allegations; no Bangladeshi court ruling
2024CivilEx-police chief's assets seizedAnti-Corruption Commission cases continue
A Dhaka court orders the seizure of former police and RAB chief Benazir Ahmed's property.
OutcomeAnti-Corruption Commission cases continue
2024CivilThe $234bn white paperAsset-recovery efforts under way
A government committee estimates $234bn left the country illegally in 2009–2023.
OutcomeAsset-recovery efforts under way
2025CivilPurbachal plot verdicts21 years across three cases, November 2025
Former PM Sheikh Hasina is sentenced in absentia over illegal plot allocations.
Outcome21 years across three cases, November 2025

Entries are drawn from court rulings, official inquiries and established reporting. Outcomes change on appeal; we update them when they do. Spotted an error? Tell us.

Pakistan: eras of military rule and the power timelineShow

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Seven decades of corruption, on the record.

Eras of direct military rule

Iskander Mirza

Ayub Khan

Yahya Khan

Zia-ul-Haq

Pervez Musharraf

Post-2008 period

Since 1958: power, military rule & civil-military influence

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