Dhaka, Sept 25 (V7N) – The interim government of Bangladesh has launched an extensive investigation into deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her family, and 10 leading industrial groups over allegations of loan irregularities, tax evasion, money laundering, and illicit asset accumulation.
According to multiple investigating agencies, more than Tk 57,260 crore worth of assets have already been seized, including both domestic and overseas properties, cash deposits, and shares. Sources confirmed that high-level directives have been issued to ensure maximum priority on these investigations.
The joint probe is being conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the National Board of Revenue (NBR), and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), under the coordination of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU). Investigations are being carried out in a secured chamber inside Bangladesh Bank, where case files are being prepared for legal action.
In addition, four influential international organizations are assisting in tracing and recovering laundered money abroad: the Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) initiative, the International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre (IACCC), the U.S. Department of Justice, and the International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR).
Beyond Sheikh Hasina’s family, the probe covers several of the country’s most powerful conglomerates: Aramit Group (linked to former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury), S. Alam Group, Beximco Group, Sikder Group, Nasa Group, Bashundhara Group, Orion Group, Gemcon Group, Nabil Group, and Summit Group. Both corporate and personal financial records of the group heads are under scrutiny.
Official data shows that so far, 1,573 bank accounts holding Tk 1,680 crore and USD 3 million, along with 188 beneficiary owner (BO) accounts containing Tk 15,500 crore in shares and funds, have been frozen.
Court directives have led to the seizure of Tk 46,805 crore in domestic assets — including Tk 9,999 crore in immovable property and Tk 36,806 crore in movable assets. In addition, Tk 10,455.54 crore worth of overseas assets have been traced and frozen, comprising Tk 6,097 crore in real estate and Tk 4,354 crore in movable assets.
Altogether, frozen domestic and foreign assets now amount to Tk 57,260.56 crore, according to officials familiar with the investigation.
The interim government has emphasized that this unprecedented anti-corruption drive aims not only to ensure accountability but also to recover laundered wealth for the state treasury.
END/RKB/SMA/
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