[🇧🇩] Everything about Hasina's misrule/Laundered Money etc.

Date of Event: Nov 11, 2024

Source: https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/sheikh-hasina-was-a-classic-autocrat-m-sakhawat-hossain

Sheikh Hasina was a classic autocrat: M Sakhawat Hossain
Published :
Aug 05, 2024 22:03
Updated :
Aug 05, 2024 22:03

Sheikh Hasina was a classic autocrat who dismissed the people, and this disdain has led to her current predicament, according to Brigadier General (Retd) M. Sakhawat Hossain, an election analyst and former military officer. In a special interview with UNB news agency over the phone, he expressed these views.
He stated that today's events were inevitable and were bound to happen. "We have seen similar situations in Tunisia, Libya, and Syria. Popular uprisings are unstoppable. The student quota reform movement could have been resolved easily, but due to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's stubbornness, so many people lost their lives."

Hossain criticised the media's portrayal of the casualties, claiming that the true number is closer to 400, with a significant portion being students and young people. He questioned the whereabouts of the remaining bodies, mass graves, and the extent of innocent lives lost. "She has gone, but who will answer for this?" he asked.

He accused the ruling government of carrying out the "most heinous massacre" and of misleading the public by blaming criminals while those responsible were, in fact, their own countrymen. "Such things should not happen in a free country," he remarked.

Hossain also noted that for the past 15 years, people have been unable to vote properly, with widespread election fraud. He stated that Sheikh Hasina should have understood her and her party's unpopularity, and questioned who would be held accountable for the bloodshed. He criticized the severe lack of good governance, which he believes Sheikh Hasina failed to provide.

Furthermore, he alleged that Sheikh Hasina has created criminal gangs within the country and turned the police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) into her personal enforcers.

Reflecting on the plight of the family members of the so-called Father of the Nation, he questioned why they had to face such a tragic fate, attributing it to Hasina's arrogance and pride. He drew a parallel with the 2009 BDR mutiny, where 57 army officers were killed, and questioned who would answer for that incident as well.

He criticised Sheikh Hasina's control over TV media and her suppression of free speech, citing it as a reason he avoided talk shows. He claimed he had urged the Prime Minister in various meetings to ensure good governance, but was labelled as an 'agent of the opposition' for his criticisms.

"Today, Sheikh Hasina has fled the country, and now the army has had to take responsibility for the nation's situation," he concluded.​

 

[Krishna with Flute]

 

[Saif]

Asset discrepancy detected in Hasina's assets, legal action pending: ACC chairman

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen has said former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's declared assets in her election affidavit do not match official findings, confirming that a case is being prepared against her. He said, “The ACC is investigating the corruption and

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Asset discrepancy detected in Hasina's assets, legal action pending: ACC chairman

Published :
May 18, 2025 23:34
Updated :
May 18, 2025 23:34

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen has said former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's declared assets in her election affidavit do not match official findings, confirming that a case is being prepared against her.

He said, “The ACC is investigating the corruption and illegal assets of Sheikh Hasina and her family.

“In the meantime, the assets declared in Hasina’s election affidavit conflict with the ones in reality. We will proceed with the cases accordingly.”

The anti-graft watchdog chairman made these remarks as the chief guest at a public hearing held at the ACC Integrated District Office-Habiganj Moulvibazar Shilpakala Academy on Sunday.

He also said two more cases against her family are being investigated, reports bdnews24.com.

The ACC primarily focuses on state assets, individuals involved in state affairs, and cases of money laundering, he added.

Two booths were set up in the Moulvibazar court premises and Chowmuhuna for 15 days to receive complaints via public hearings.

Additionally, public awareness about the hearing was raised through miking, distribution of pamphlets, and posters in every union of Sadar Upazila.​

 

[Saif]

Laundered money goes into two sovereign funds

Attached and frozen assets of the oligarchs who "plundered people's money" during the deposed regime of Sheikh Hasina will go into two separate sovereign funds the interim government has decided to form. Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur Monday disclosed the decision about the modalities o

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Crackdown on financial frauds reclaims over Tk 1.31t
Laundered money goes into two sovereign funds

FE REPORT
Published :
May 20, 2025 00:38
Updated :
May 20, 2025 00:38

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus presides over a meeting on the progress of recovering laundered money at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Monday. Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur was present on the occasion. — PID

Attached and frozen assets of the oligarchs who "plundered people's money" during the deposed regime of Sheikh Hasina will go into two separate sovereign funds the interim government has decided to form.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur Monday disclosed the decision about the modalities of appropriations of the stolen assets after a high- level meeting on repatriation of the laundered assets.

"Two separate funds will be created. One will be with the attached assets of those who plundered banks and another fund will be created with the assets plundered from non-banking sources," the Governor told a press briefing after the consultation.

Explaining the plan he said the bank shares of an oligarch, which have been attached or frozen by the government, would be handed over to the banks concerned so that it can use the money for its recapitalisation.

These shares will be sold to strategic investors so that the banks concerned can compensate their clients.

In this context, he mentions that the value of the attached Islamic Bank shares of S Alam Group is worth Tk 120 billion to 140 billion.

Mr Ahsan said the money plundered through non-banking corruption would be deposited in another fund and this money would be utilised for the wellbeing of the poor.

Responding to a question he said, "The entire process would be done lawfully, and if needed, the government may amend relevant rules."

The BB governor of the central bank was flanked by the Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Shafiqul Alam, and the head of Financial Intelligence Unit of the central bank, AFM Sahinul Islam.

To a question, he said usually four to five years are required to complete the legal procedures to bring back the siphoned-off money. "But some intermediate measures like freezing the assets could be done, and may take one year or less than one-year time."

Narrating the process, Mansur said the legal procedures must be completed in Bangladesh and then the request for mutual legal assistances (MLAs) should be sent abroad in proper way.

"We are on this process now. We are sending the request. And if we get this assistance of foreigners, we will be able to freeze the laundered assets," he told the journalists.

He said once the assets are frozen, the legal process would begin in courts abroad, which requires four to five years to complete.

The government has already communicated with many foreign institutions seeking their support in returning the laundered money to the country, he notes.

The government is sending MLAs to different countries seeking to freeze the money siphoned off from Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Bank governor said the day's meeting discussed management of seized money deposited with different banks and seized shares of many banks and companies.

Also discussed was how the interests of the depositors could be protected as money was "looted from banks".

The central bank governor said Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus will visit the United Kingdom and he will focus the money-laundering issue during his tour, which was also discussed at the day's meeting.

Responding to a question whether his commitment that he would make sure that the money launderers could not sleep peacefully became futile as they are passing life peacefully abroad, the governor said he did not think that they are having peaceful sleep at night.

"I heard that S Alam has to appoint a law firm by paying 30 million US dollars annually. So this cannot be the sign of peaceful life for one who has to spend this much of money to defend him," Mr Mansur argues.

Responding to a question Mr Shafiqul Alam said tangible assets worth Tk 130757 crore (over 1.31 trillion) of the former Prime Minister and 10 business conglomerates has been attached so far. Besides, their foreign assets worth 164 million US dollars have been attached.

Regarding a question on Nagad, the BB Governor said according to the investigation, the company plundered Tk 26.50 billion of which Tk 6.40 billion was plundered through e-money.

A company needs to deposit one taka to create e-money worth one taka but Nagad created Tk 6.50 billion in excess of their deposit with the banking system, which is "totally illegal", he said.

He apprehends that as the previous management got back controlling authority of the company through a court verdict, they might erase the evidence related to their "corruption".

However, he mentions that the central bank has filed an appeal against the court order.

But they cannot do that much harm to the clients as the central bank has taken necessary steps to protect the interests of the Nagad clients, the chief of the regulator told the reporters.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh govt seizes Tk 1.76 lakh crore in looted assets

The interim government has so far attached Tk 1,75,625 crore worth of foreign and domestic assets linked to 10 influential business groups and the family of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina on allegations of financial crimes, including large-scale lootings.

www.newagebd.net

CORRUPTION BY 10 GROUPS, HASINA FAMILY

Bangladesh govt seizes Tk 1.76 lakh crore in looted assets
Staff Correspondent 19 May, 2025, 23:06

Sheikh Hasina. | File photo

The interim government has so far attached Tk 1,75,625 crore worth of foreign and domestic assets linked to 10 influential business groups and the family of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina on allegations of financial crimes, including large-scale lootings.

The asset recovery operation, led by the Bangladesh Bank and other government agencies, targets illicit wealth accumulated through embezzlement, money laundering, and abusing political influence.

The status of the recovery efforts was reviewed at a high-level meeting at the Chief Adviser’s Office on Monday, where Bangladesh Bank governor Ahsan H Mansur briefed chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.

The information was later shared with journalists at a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on the day.

Governor Mansur, chief adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam, and Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit chief AFM Shahinul Islam were present at the press briefing.

According to the press secretary, the value of the attached immovable domestic assets stood at Tk 1,30,758 crore, while the foreign attachments totalled $164 million.

In addition, the frozen domestic movable assets amounted to Tk 42,614.27 crore while the foreign movable assets to $20.78 million.

One joint investigation team has been assigned to each group and the Hasina family, which identified the assets and secured court orders for attachment.

The 10 business groups under investigation are S Alam Group, Beximco Group, Nabil Group, Summit Group, Orion Group, Gemcon Group, Nassa Group, Bashundhara Group, Sikder Group, and Aramit Group.

Besides investigating these corporations, the financial transactions of the key individuals behind them are also being scrutinised. Many of these individuals have reportedly renounced their Bangladeshi citizenship, BB officials said.

In January 2025, joint investigation teams, formed with each team comprising investigators from the Criminal Investigation Department, the National Board of Revenue, and the Anti-Corruption Commission, have launched extensive probes. The coordination of the investigations is being led by the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit.

The central bank governor said that the attached assets included shares in banks and listed companies, luxury properties, and large bank deposits held by individuals either facing prosecution or living abroad after having fled the country.

Mansur said that the government had decided to create a dedicated special fund with the recovered money to compensate depositors and assist low-income communities affected by systemic banking failures.

Initiated under a directive from the chief adviser, the fund will be used to stabilise distressed banks and finance social welfare programmes, he said.

He confirmed that substantial sums were already under governemnt control, including bank deposits and equity shares seized from absconders.

The central bank is working with international partners through mutual legal assistance treaties to recover assets laundered abroad.

Mansur noted that while the legal process typically spans four to five years, several foreign governments have expressed willingness to cooperate.

He added that the chief adviser’s upcoming visit to London may involve steps to advance overseas asset recovery.

Mansur said that funds recovered from embezzled bank loans will be returned directly to the affected banks to address capital and provisioning shortfalls.

Assets recovered from other forms of corruption will be used for poverty alleviation.

He emphasised that all measures will follow legal and regulatory frameworks.

Since the control over the attached assets has already been secured, the process of operationalising the funds is expected to move quickly, Mansur said.

The central bank is also finalising preparations to implement the Bank Resolution Ordinance 2025, which authorises the Bangladesh Bank to enforce compulsory mergers, liquidations, and the creation of bridge banks to restore stability in failing financial institutions.

During the briefing, Mansur also accused the mobile financial service provider Nagad of illegally creating Tk 650 crore in unbacked e-money, calling the action financial fraud.

He stated that under the existing monetary law, all e-money must be fully backed by deposits. Nagad’s over-issuance has violated this rule and, according to him, warrants legal punishment.​

 

[Saif]

ACC wants steps against Hasina over ‘false declaration’

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has called on the Election Commission (EC) to take legal steps against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina for allegedly concealing information about her assets in the affidavit filed against her during the 9th national elections. On Thursday, ACC Chairman Moh

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

ACC wants steps against Hasina over ‘false declaration’
Published :
May 22, 2025 20:41
Updated :
May 22, 2025 20:41

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has called on the Election Commission (EC) to take legal steps against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina for allegedly concealing information about her assets in the affidavit filed against her during the 9th national elections.

On Thursday, ACC Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen said legal actions have been requested against Hasina under the Representation of the People Order, 1972, bdnews24.com reports.

Citing the verification of her asset declaration to the anti-graft watchdog, he said the letter also mentioned that she had shown 2.63 hectares of agricultural land priced at Tk 1.75 million in the affidavit filed before the Dec 29, 2008, elections.

However, the ACC found Hasina has 11.5 hectares of agricultural land in her name, of which the total cost of the land purchased is Tk 3.36 million.

In another allegation, the letter mentions Hasina, using the then Magura-1 MP Mohammad Sirajul Akbar's “duty-free quota”, imported a Mercedes Benz worth £230,000, he added.

“A total of Tk 19.32 million was paid from the bank against the letter of credit (LC).

“The car was registered to her Dhanmondi residence, Sudha Sadan, and she used it.”

However, no information about the car was found in Sirajul’s income tax return or the affidavit filed with the EC before the 9th national elections, and it is known that he never “used” it.

The Awami League government fell in the face of student-led mass uprising on Aug 5, 2024, and Hasina fled to India that day.

Since then, the anti-graft agency filed several cases against the former premier and her family members.

Cases have also been filed against her on charges of “murder” and “attempted murder”.​