ACC seeks financial transaction records of Hasina, family members

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sent a letter to the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) seeking all documents related to the domestic and international financial transactions of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy, her younger sister Sheikh Rehana, and Rehana’s daughter, British Minister Tulip Siddiq.

In the letter sent on Tuesday (December 24) from the ACC's headquarters, the investigation team requested detailed information on offshore bank accounts held by the individuals, including account statements. The team also sought personal documents pertaining to these individuals from the Election Commission and the Immigration and Passport Office.

Additionally, the investigation team sent a separate letter to the BFIU on the same day, requesting records of offshore bank accounts and details of transactions made through domestic banks and financial institutions. It is anticipated that further requests will be sent to additional government and private institutions for more documentation.

Earlier, on December 18, the ACC formed a five-member team to investigate corruption allegations against Sheikh Hasina and her family members. The investigation team is led by ACC Deputy Director Md. Salahuddin, with other members including Deputy Director Md. Saiduzzaman, Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya, SM Rashedul Hasan, and AKM Mortuza Ali Sagar.

The team is tasked with investigating corruption allegations related to eight special priority projects of the Awami League government, involving Tk 21,000 crore. They will also probe alleged corruption amounting to Tk 59,000 crore in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project.

Previously, on December 17, ACC Director General (Prevention) Aktar Hossain announced the launch of the investigation into corruption allegations against Sheikh Hasina and her family members.

On December 15, the High Court issued a rule questioning the ACC’s inaction regarding allegations that Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and niece Tulip Siddiq siphoned off $5 billion (approximately Tk 60,000 crore) from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant through a Malaysian bank. The court asked why this inaction should not be declared illegal.

Earlier, on September 3, a writ petition was filed with the High Court by Bobby Hajjaj, Chairman of the National Democratic Movement (NDM), seeking a directive for the ACC to investigate corruption in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project. The petition challenged the legality of the ACC's inaction and named the ACC Chairman and other relevant officials as respondents.