Abu Jakir :
Deposed dictator Sheikh Hasina and members of her family are facing serious allegations of large-scale corruption, as revealed by ongoing investigations and media reports.
Despite her earlier public commitment to a policy of “zero tolerance” against corruption, evidence suggests that corrupt practices may have been facilitated within her inner circle, implicating her children, sister, and nieces.
Investigators from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) have reportedly uncovered significant evidence indicating that Hasina played a central role in fostering corruption within her close network.
A specialised ACC team is currently examining allegations involving the embezzlement of 800 billion BDT across nine projects, including the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. There are also claims that Sheikh Hasina and her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, laundered approximately $30 million (around 3,600 crore BDT).
Preliminary findings suggest involvement from Hasina, Joy, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and Rehana’s daughter Tulip Siddiq, with several incriminating pieces
of evidence reportedly collected.
When questioned about these investigations, ACC Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen stated, “This matter is under investigation. Many of the allegations appear to be credible, and more information is emerging. Details will be shared once concrete evidence has been gathered.”
The ACC has received allegations of substantial financial irregularities in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project. Reports indicate that $5 billion out of the total $12.65 billion project cost was misappropriated. It is alleged that Sheikh Hasina, her son Joy, and Rehana’s daughter Tulip Siddiq were involved in orchestrating this corruption, with funds purportedly transferred to offshore accounts in Malaysia.
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has reportedly provided the ACC with documents detailing financial irregularities. The FBI’s findings allegedly include evidence that $300 million was transferred from Bangladesh to U.S. bank accounts linked to Sheikh Hasina and Sajeeb Wazed Joy.
Controversy Over Purbachal Land Plots
The ACC is also investigating alleged irregularities in the allocation of six plots in the Purbachal New Town Project. Reports suggest that these plots were secured under political influence for Sheikh Hasina, her immediate family, and other relatives.
UK Media Reports
UK-based The Sunday Times reported that Tulip Siddiq’s younger sister, Azmira Siddiq, was gifted a flat on Finchley Road, London, by Moin Ghani, a lawyer closely associated with Sheikh Hasina’s government. The property was transferred to Azmira without payment in 2009, and she later sold it for $650,000 in 2021.
Another report by The Financial Times claimed that Tulip Siddiq was gifted a second flat in London’s King’s Cross area by Abdul Motalib, a real estate developer linked to the Awami League. Representatives of Tulip Siddiq defended the acquisitions as family arrangements, denying any political connections.
Scrutiny Over Joy’s Academic Credentials
Questions have also been raised regarding the academic credentials of Sajeeb Wazed Joy. While official records indicate that he graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington before earning a master’s degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, critics have cast doubt on the authenticity of these qualifications.
Reactions from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami
Commenting on these allegations, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman stated, “Sheikh Hasina’s niece became a UK minister by sheer luck, and now she faces corruption allegations abroad. This is a disgrace for our nation.”
Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar added, “The corruption involving Sheikh Hasina’s family is being exposed day by day. They must face justice before the next general elections. Those responsible for the deaths of innocent students and unarmed civilians must also be held accountable.”
These developments cast a shadow over Sheikh Hasina’s legacy, raising critical questions about governance, accountability, and ethical conduct in public office. As investigations continue, the political and legal consequences for her and her family remain uncertain.
