Photo: Collected
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has seized Tk394,60,72,805 held in 31 bank accounts belonging to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members. The family members include Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, sister Sheikh Rehana, and members of Rehana's family. ACC Director General Akhtar Hossain disclosed the information at a press conference held at the commission's headquarters in Dhaka, today (18 March).
"The court issued the order to seize the accounts following a petition by the ACC," he stated. Earlier, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) found Tk635.14 crore in 124 frozen bank accounts of Hasina, her family members, and related individuals and institutions.
The report revealed that assets linked to Sheikh Hasina, her family, and affiliated individuals and organizations have been found in the United States, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Cayman Islands. It also noted the presence of a Russian 'slush fund' in a Malaysian account.
Following investigations, charge sheets have been filed in six cases against Hasina's family members and associated institutions on charges of fraud and forgery. Seven family members have also been barred from travelling abroad, said the statement.
Among the 11 money laundering cases prioritised by the interim government for resolution by 2025, the case against Sheikh Hasina and her family ranks as the top priority. Additionally, the BFIU seized eight plots, including a 60-katha Rajuk plot with a deed value of Tk1.80 crore, along with 10 decimal land holdings valued at Tk8.85 crore.
Later ACC approved six charge sheets in separate cases against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, their family members, and others in relation to the allocation of plots totalling 60 katha in Purbachal through irregularities and abuse of power.
The other accused in the cases include former state minister Sharif Ahmed, former private secretary to the PM Salauddin, and 14 officials from the housing and public works ministry.
This was the first charge sheet against the Hasina family and others involving the previous regime since the fall of the Awami League government amid a student-led mass uprising in August last year.
Messenger/JRTarek
