The High Court has ordered the prompt recovery of Tk 6.66 billion in unpaid taxes from Grameen Kalyan, an organization established by former interim government Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. In a verdict delivered on September 10 and published on the Supreme Court website on Monday, the court lifted a previously imposed stay on the tax demand.

Grameen Kalyan had challenged the tax assessments for the fiscal years 2012-13 through 2016-17 by filing two separate writ petitions in 2017. These petitions questioned the legality of the National Board of Revenue’s (NBR) tax enforcement actions. Following initial hearings, the High Court had issued a rule and temporarily halted the collection of the disputed tax amount.

The court’s recent ruling dismissed these petitions, describing the case as a clear instance of tax evasion, citing the organization’s attempt to keep a settled tax issue pending. The court directed the concerned authorities, including the NBR, to take all necessary steps to recover the outstanding taxes without delay.

Grameen Kalyan is widely known for its development projects and was founded by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate recognized for his pioneering work in microfinance and social business. The case marks a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of tax compliance by nonprofit organizations in the country.

The NBR has yet to release an official statement following the High Court’s directive. Representatives of Grameen Kalyan did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The resolution of this case is expected to set a precedent for the enforcement of tax laws among charitable entities in Bangladesh.