Rahman became the subject of a host of controversies during Zia's third term and the Awami League government of
Sheikh Hasina. Described as "politically motivated" attacks by the BNP, the courts in Dhaka have cleared him of all charges after
July Uprising.
Power sector corruption allegation During the 2001–2006 tenure of the
Four-Party Alliance government, Rahman was frequently accused by political opponents of involvement in large-scale corruption within the power sector. The most prominent of these allegations became known as the "Khamba" (electric pole) controversy. Critics alleged that, Rahman and his business associates utilized the "
Hawa Bhaban" office to influence the government contracts for the procurement of thousands of electric poles at inflated prices. Reports from the period claimed that many of these poles were installed in rural areas without being connected to a functioning electrical grid. Detractors cited these "empty poles" as a symbol of systemic graft and mismanagement. In 2008, a United States Embassy cable later published by WikiLeaks characterized him as a "symbol of kleptocratic government". In a January 2026 article
, Time noted that Rahman continues to be referred to by the derogatory nickname "Khamba Tarique" by his critics. Rahman denied the allegations, describing them as politically motivated attempts to undermine the leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Hawa Bhaban controversy The allegations consist of Rahman and his associates allegedly accepting bribes from various businessmen and political rivals through Hawa Bhaban, the office of the chairman of the BNP and an alleged parallel power centre during Zia's tenure, laundering the money abroad. Based on these allegations, the
Anti-Corruption Commission of Bangladesh (ACC) began an investigation in 2007, and he was also investigated by the Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI) in the
United States and the courts in
Singapore. They later stated that evidence of money laundering was found against Rahman. In 2007, the Bangladeshi government launched an investigation against Rahman on charges of bribery and money laundering. The investigation led to allegations that he laundered about $20 million abroad. In 2010, a case was filed domestically based on the allegations. On 20 March 2025, the court acquitted him in this case.
Money laundering case On 7 June 2007, a money laundering case was submitted against Rahman and his personal friend and business partner,
Giasuddin Al Mamun, by the
Bangladesh Anti Corruption Commission at a court in Dhaka. In a verdict given on 18 November 2013 by the court, Rahman was acquitted in the case involving BDT 20.41 crore. After delivering the verdict, the trial court judge left the country. Bangladesh Anti Corruption Commission member
Mohammed Shahabuddin rejected the verdict, saying: BNP officials and leaders have claimed that this judgement is proof of his innocence, that he had no involvement with corruption, and that all the cases against Rahman were "politically motivated". On 21 July 2016, Rahman was found guilty by the Bangladesh High Court, overturning a lower court verdict that acquitted him earlier. He was sentenced to seven years of imprisonment and fined Tk 20 crore by the Court. Mamun's wider business dealings, closely associated with Rahman's political influence, led to further legal scrutiny. For example, in 2022, the ACC filed a graft case against Mamun's company, One Spinning Mills Limited, and its directors, for alleged loan embezzlement from
Sonali Bank. On 5 December 2024, Rahman and Mamun were acquitted by the high court of Bangladesh.
Illegal wealth acquisition The
ACC filed a case against Rahman, his wife Zubaida, and Zubaida's mother, Syeda Iqbal Banu, in 2007 during the military-backed caretaker government on allegations that Rahman and his wife had illegal assets worth more than 48 million taka beyond their declared income. On 31 March 2009, the investigating officer filed a chargesheet against the three in court. However, the trial against Zubaida's mother was later dismissed. The court recorded the statements of 42 witnesses for the prosecution, including the complainant in the case. A Dhaka court sentenced Rahman to nine years in prison and a fine of Tk 30 million, and his wife, Zubaida, to three years in prison and a fine of Tk 3.5 million. At the same time, the court ordered the confiscation of Rahman's illegal assets worth about Tk 3.5 million in favour of the state. In October 2024, the interim government of
Muhammad Yunus suspended the sentence of Rahman's wife for one year in a case filed on charges of acquiring wealth outside known sources of income, on the condition of surrender and appeal. On 28 May 2025, Rahman and his wife were acquitted of illegal wealth acquisition case by the High Court questioning procedural legitimacy of the case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission.
The Zia Charitable Trust corruption controversy The Zia Charitable Trust corruption case contains allegations filed against Rahman and his mother, among others. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case in 2008. It was alleged that a foreign grant of about Tk 2.1 crore was given to the Zia Orphanage Trust in 2004, but it was used for personal purposes instead of being spent on the trust's work. This led to allegations of misuse of state resources. The case named Rahman and his mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, accusing them of personally embezzling foreign grant money. Although Zia was directly accused in the case, Rahman's name was discussed in the case due to the political situation at the time and his political position. The trial of the case began in 2011. Following the investigation and judicial proceedings, on 8 February 2018, a special court in Dhaka sentenced Zia to 5 years in prison and Rahman and the other accused to 10 years in prison. The High Court later doubled Zia's jail term in that case. Since Rahman was in self-imposed exile in the
United Kingdom, he did not appear in court, and the verdict was delivered in his absence. The verdict caused a large impact on domestic politics in Bangladesh. Zia appealed to the High Court to suspend her sentence and was released on bail for some time. Rahman, however, was issued an international arrest warrant. The BNP and its supporters have claimed that the case is politically motivated, while the Awami League has called it an important legal step. The verdict in the case has been the subject of disagreement among various political analysts and legal experts. On 15 January 2025, Zia and Rahman, along with all the accused, were acquitted in the case.
2004 Dhaka grenade attack case On 21 August 2004, a grenade attack on an Awami League rally in Dhaka killed 24 people and injured about 300, including then-opposition leader Sheikh Hasina. On 22 August, Motijheel Police Station Sub-Inspector (SI) Faruk Ahmed filed a case as the plaintiff. Rahman was initially not named as an accused in the case. The Awami League condemned the BNP government's handling of the investigation. The BNP denies any link to the attack. When the reinvestigation of the case began during the caretaker government in 2007, the names of Mufti Abdul Hannan, leader of the banned organization Harkatul Jihad, and Abdus Salam Pintu, deputy minister of the then BNP government, came up. When the Awami League came to power in 2009, a further investigation was carried out. The investigation revealed the names of Rahman and other high-ranking BNP leaders. In 2011, Rahman was named as the alleged main conspirator in the supplementary charge sheet and was formally charged in the case. He was accused of being the mastermind of the attack by Awami League General Secretary
Obaidul Quader; however, the accusation was denied by BNP Secretary General
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. The trial officially began in 2012. After a long hearing, the Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal announced its verdict in the 21 August grenade attack case on 10 October 2018. However, the verdict was given in his absence as he was abroad. He was shown as a 'fugitive' in the charge sheet. On 22 November 2024, the High Court concluded a hearing on the appeals and death references of the grenade attack cases. On 1 December 2024, Rahman,
Lutfozzaman Babar, and 47 others were acquitted by the court. The High Court has recommended that the Home Ministry take the necessary measures to conduct a new investigation into the 21 August grenade attack case through appropriate and expert agencies to ensure justice.
10-truck arms and ammunition haul The 10-truck arms case began on 28 April 2004, when a large quantity of arms and ammunition was seized in 10 trucks in Chittagong. Rahman was accused of being involved in the arms, and it was claimed that the arms were collected for use in gunfights during the BNP government. It was alleged that the arms were intended to be smuggled to banned armed groups in India. Rahman and other BNP leaders were investigated for their involvement in the case. It was alleged that Tarique Rahman was involved in the arms smuggling scheme. The BNP later filed a complaint, considering the case to be politically motivated. They claimed that the case was part of a political vendetta and Rahman was deliberately targeted. On 18 December 2024, the High Court acquitted four people in the case, including former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar and former Director General of NSI, retired Major General
Rezzakul Haider Chowdhury.
Sedition and other cases In 2014, Rahman made a speech about
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at an event in London during a discussion organized by the BNP. He referred to Mujib as a "
Razakar" and "Pakbandhu" (friend of Pakistan), among other words. Following the speech, he was termed as "insolent" and "stupid" by his political rivals, and multiple legal notices and sedition cases were filed throughout the country. On 22 January 2014, the Awami League's Jessore district unit's then-organizing secretary, filed a lawsuit, claiming that Rahman had committed sedition by making the comments about Mujib. On 4 April 2017, the police handed in the charge sheet to the court. The court subsequently issued an arrest warrant in the case against Rahman. On 4 April 2017, the police filed the charge sheet to the court. The court subsequently issued an arrest warrant for Rahman in the matter. On 21 August 2024, the Noakhali Additional District and Sessions Judge Court acquitted him of sedition charges laid on 4 April 2017. In another controversy, on 5 January 2015, Rahman delivered a live statement on the
Ekushey TV channel. Tejgaon Police Station filed a case claiming that Rahman, in collusion with others, was allegedly involved in publishing false and fabricated information, posing a threat to the sovereignty of the country, and "spreading hatred" against the government. On 6 September 2017, police handed in a chargesheet against them. On 31 October 2024, The High Court scrapped the case.
Controversy over historical claim about BNP symbol In April 2026, Rahman faced criticism in the social media after claiming in a public speech that Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Ziaur Rahman received the "
sheaf of paddy" symbol from
Maulana Bhasani during the
1979 election period. Historians noted a chronological inconsistency, as Bhasani died in 1976, prior to the events described. However, political analysts say that the statement may have been made in a symbolic sense. ==Personal life==