Salman, S Alam extorted Tk10,000cr to fund 2018 ‘midnight vote’
Staff Reporter :
Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s adviser Salman F Rahman and S Alam Group Chairman Saiful Alam allegedly extracted nearly Tk10,000 crore from business entities to finance the 2018 national election—widely described as the “midnight election”—according to a confidential police report.
The 456-page internal report claims that around Tk10,000 crore was forcibly collected from various business groups to influence and control the electoral process, sources familiar with the document said.
Prepared after nearly six months of investigations by police units and intelligence agencies under directives from the interim government, the report alleges that the funds were distributed among multiple government bodies and individuals to ensure vote manipulation.
According to the findings, about Tk3,500 crore was spent on law enforcement agencies and administrative cadres, while Tk1,000 crore was specifically allocated to the police.
A large portion of the remaining money was allegedly misappropriated by senior leaders of the then-ruling Awami League.
The report further states that Saiful Alam, known for his close association with the former ruling party, was tasked with mobilising funds for the election. Sources cited in the report claim he illegally collected approximately Tk8,000 crore and distributed it among agencies involved in the election process.
Official records show that the government’s declared allocation for the 2018 election was Tk966,72,76,196. Of this, Tk666,06,33,517 was earmarked solely for election-related law enforcement expenses.
However, the report alleges that beyond the officially approved budget, the Awami League government raised an additional Tk10,000 crore through undisclosed donations and distributed amounts far exceeding the declared expenditures.
The document reportedly contains detailed financial trails and names individuals linked to the alleged operation.
Despite these findings, no formal charges have yet been filed, and authorities have not made any public statements regarding the report.