CID seizes Tk400cr assets of ex-minister Golam Dastagir Gazi in Rupganj

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the police has seized Tk400 crore worth of assets belonging to Golam Dastagir Gazi, former textiles and jute minister of the Awami League government.

The seized properties include nearly 5,000 decimals of land, the Gazi Tyres factory, and other business structures in Rupganj, Narayanganj.

Confirming the development, CID Financial Crime Unit's Special Superintendent Bashir Uddin told TBS, "We seized the properties following a court order. Our media wing will share the details later."

Earlier on 8 July, a Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court issued the seizure order based on a petition by the CID's Financial Crime Unit. TBS has seen copies of that CID petition and court order.

According to the CID, Gazi accumulated these properties through forcible land grabs, forgery, hundi operations, and illegal earnings via under-invoicing and over-invoicing in trade.

Infographics: TBS

Following the fall of the Hasina-led Awami League government in the student-led uprising of August 2024, CID launched investigations into the illegal wealth and alleged money laundering of 17 major business groups, including Gazi Group.

CID's preliminary findings suggest that Golam Dastagir Gazi owns a large amount of illegal wealth. In the Khaodun area under Rupganj Police Station, Narayanganj, over 4,879 decimals of land were found under 69 deeds, with a declared value of Tk16.52 crore, though the actual market value is much higher. The land hosts several Gazi Group establishments, including the Gazi Tyres factory.

On 25 August last year, Gazi was arrested from a relative's home in Shantinagar, Dhaka, and later shown arrested in a murder case over the killing of school student Roman Mia during the July protests.

After his arrest, miscreants looted and set fire to the Gazi Tyres factory several times.

A CID police officer close to the investigation said, "Golam Dastagir Gazi became the owner of vast wealth through forcible land grabbing and various organised crimes."

Officials involved in the investigation said that after completing the probe, CID will file cases under the money laundering law against Golam Dastagir Gazi and related individuals and entities.

"We have gathered significant information about Gazi and associated persons and are collecting more. Financial transaction data from various banks has been requested, and information has also been sought from the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit to check for any overseas money laundering. We hope to file the case within a few days," the CID officer told TBS.

Meanwhile, on July 8, the same Dhaka court that approved the asset seizure for the CID also ordered the freezing of shares of 12 companies owned by Golam Dastagir Gazi, along with 9 bank accounts and three vehicles, following three separate petitions by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The total value of these frozen assets is Tk24.31 crore. Additionally, travel bans were imposed on Gazi and his wife, Hasina Gazi, ACC Public Relations Officer Aktarul Islam confirmed to reporters at the time.

Since August last year, some 22 cases have been filed against Golam Dastagir Gazi, including 17 related to anti-discrimination protests—mostly murder cases—and 5 ongoing fraud investigations. 

Attempts to reach Gazi Golam Murtoza, Golam Dastagir Gazi's son and deputy managing director of Gazi Group, for comment on the court orders failed as his phone was off and WhatsApp calls and text messages went unanswered.

Founded in 1972 by Golam Dastagir Gazi, the Gazi Group has exposure in diversified areas. The group manufactures heavy-duty tanks to industrial pipes, and auto tyres.