UK seizure sought for Bashundhara execs’ wealth

Staff Reporter :

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sent a formal letter to the United Kingdom requesting the seizure of assets belonging to Bashundhara Group’s Vice Chairman Shafiat Sobhan (Sanvir) and Co-Chairman Sadat Sobhan. The request was directed to the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA).

At a press conference held at the ACC headquarters in Segunbagicha, Dhaka on Monday, ACC Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen confirmed the development.

“Recovering laundered money is a complex process. However, we are making every effort. If we can prove the allegations in both our courts and theirs, we believe it will be possible to recover the assets,” said Momen.

In addition to the Bashundhara Group executives, the ACC has also submitted requests to the NCA to seize the assets of Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, brother of former Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, and Mohammad Adnan Imam, former Executive Committee Chairman of NRB Commercial Bank.

Chairman Momen stated that the commission remains optimistic about recovering the assets allegedly laundered by former Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed, provided the charges can be substantiated in court.

He confirmed that UK authorities have already seized assets worth approximately Tk 1,025 crore (around £70 million), believed to be owned by the former minister.

“The seizure was carried out with the cooperation of the British government,” Momen said.
“The process of recovering laundered funds is intricate, but we are hopeful. If we can present the required evidence, we are confident that the money can be brought back to Bangladesh.”

Momen also noted that documents related to properties allegedly linked to Mohammad Adnan Imam, an associate of the former minister, will soon be sent to the UK in an effort to recover additional laundered assets.
When asked about British MP Tulip Siddiq, Momen commented, “No matter how much Tulip claims she is a British citizen, our documents show she holds Bangladeshi nationality. We are proceeding under our laws, which apply to all Bangladeshi citizens.”
He added, “If she were innocent, why did she step down? Why did she lose her ministerial post?”