ACC expands Tulip’s money laundering inquiry, seeks info from 10-12 countries

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has requested information from 10-12 countries to probe the money laundering allegations against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's niece and former UK city minister Tulip Siddiq and other members of the Sheikh family.

ACC Director General (Prevention) Akhtar Hossain confirmed the matter to reporters at the commission's Segun Bagicha headquarters in the capital on Sunday (9 February).

Akhtar, however, did not disclose the names of the countries ACC investigators approached for information.

Media reports indicate that the ACC team has been sending mutual legal assistance requests to gather both informal information and formal evidence from abroad.

According to a report by The Sunday Times, officers from Britain's National Crime Agency spent several days in Dhaka in late January assisting ACC investigators with their inquiries.

British media quoted an ACC spokesperson stating that Bangladesh could seek Siddiq's extradition once the investigation is complete.

ACC investigates tulip on multiple fronts

So far, Tulip Siddiq has been named in three ACC inquiries. She is accused of benefiting from the Rooppur nuclear power plant deal with Russia, influencing her aunt, Hasina, into allocating Rajuk land to family members, and laundering money.

On 17 December last year, the ACC launched an inquiry into allegations that Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, her sister Rehana, niece Tulip, and other family members embezzled Tk80,000 crore from different development projects in Bangladesh initiated during the Awami League regime.

On 13 January, Tulip and her family members were sued by ACC for allegedly acquiring government plots in the Purbachal New Town Project from Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) by abusing power.

On 15 January, ACC launched another investigation into Tulip, her family members and others after allegations of their involvement in corruption, abuse of power, illegal acquisition of government land, money laundering, and the accumulation of illicit assets both in Bangladesh and abroad.

The 42-year-old UK politician, who remained a Labour MP since 2015, resigned from her City Minister post on 14 January following an ethics review into allegations around her use and receipt of properties linked to the ousted Hasina regime in Bangladesh.