Tk394cr in 31 bank accounts of Hasina, family members frozen

Infographic: TBS

Highlights:

• Account-holders include Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, sister Sheikh Rehana, and her family members
• Earlier, BFIU found Tk635.14cr in 124 frozen bank accounts of Hasina and her family members
• BFIU also seized eight plots, including a 60-katha Rajuk plot and a 10-decimal land
• BFIU found assets linked to Hasina, her family, affiliated individuals and organisations in the US, the UK, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Cayman Islands

At the request of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), a Dhaka court has frozen over Tk394 crore held in 31 bank accounts linked to former 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.

"The court issued the order to freeze the accounts following a petition by the ACC," said ACC Director General Akhtar Hossain at a press conference held at the commission's headquarters in Dhaka today (18 March).

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.

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.

This information was disclosed by the Bangladesh Bank at a high-level meeting on the prevention of money laundering chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on 10 March, according to a CA Press Wing statement.

It said the BFIU found assets linked to Hasina, her family, and affiliated individuals and organisations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Cayman Islands.

It also noted the presence of a Russian "slush fund" in a Malaysian account. A slush fund is a fund or account used for miscellaneous income and expenses, particularly when these are corrupt or illegal.

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 Hasina and her family ranks as the top priority, it added.

The ACC on 10 March had approved the six charge sheets in as many cases against Hasina, Rehana, their children, and others in relation to the allocation of plots totalling 60 katha of land in Purbachal through irregularities and abuse of power.

The other accused in the cases include former state minister Sharif Ahmed, Hasina's former private secretary 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 Awami League government fell in a mass uprising led by students in August last year.