Staff Reporter :
Tulip Siddiq, the United Kingdom’s Anti-Corruption Minister and niece of ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is under scrutiny following allegations of money laundering linked to the Awami League regime.
According to a report by The Times on 6 January, Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) is assisting Bangladeshi authorities in an international investigation to trace billions allegedly siphoned out of Bangladesh during Hasina’s tenure.
Sources close to the investigation indicate that Siddiq’s London flat, reportedly gifted by a businessman with ties to the Awami League, and the house she resides in, owned by one of Hasina’s political allies, could be examined as part of the probe. The NCA’s International Corruption Unit has flagged these properties as potentially acquired with laundered funds.
Meanwhile, Siddiq has also faced previous controversies. Mir Ahmad bin Quasem Arman, also known as Mir Arman, accused Dhaka police of raiding his family home after British journalists questioned Siddiq about his plight In 2017. Channel 4 News journalists suggested Siddiq could intervene to help Mir Arman, who holds Bangladeshi nationality.
Siddiq, however, warned them to “be very careful” about implying she was a politician, asserting, “I’m a British MP.” Footage of the confrontation aired on 28 November 2017, drawing further attention to the case.
Critics have raised questions about Siddiq’s suitability for her ministerial role, alleging a conflict of interest due to her responsibilities in tackling financial crimes. A source familiar with the investigation remarked, “This involves hundreds of millions of pounds laundered from Bangladesh through property purchases in London. The properties Siddiq now owns could fall under scrutiny.
Her actions appear naive at best.”
The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has intensified its investigation into money laundering linked to Sheikh Hasina’s administration.
The BFIU has requested bank account details for Siddiq, her mother Sheikh Rehana, and her siblings Azmina Siddique and Radwan Mujib Siddiq, as well as Hasina and her immediate family.
These steps follow allegations of embezzlement amounting to Tk 21,000 crore in eight major projects under Hasina’s leadership.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is also examining Siddiq’s alleged involvement in brokering and profiting from a controversial nuclear power deal with Russia in 2013. Siddiq has denied the accusations, calling them “fabricated charges” aimed at tarnishing her reputation.
Meanwhile, UK authorities, including officials from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), have travelled to Dhaka to cooperate with Bangladeshi investigators. The joint effort underscores the seriousness of the allegations, which span multiple financial jurisdictions.
Siddiq’s role as Anti-Corruption Minister has drawn sharp criticism, with opponents pointing to ethical dilemmas arising from her family’s political ties. Despite growing pressure, the UK Treasury defended her, noting that she has recused herself from decisions involving Bangladesh to avoid conflicts of interest.
The latest allegations add to the scrutiny surrounding Siddiq’s political and ethical responsibilities, raising questions about her role in combating corruption while being linked to allegations of financial misconduct.
