Assets worth Tk76,000 crore of Sheikh Hasina family, 10 industrial groups seized

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 10 industrial groups’ assets worth Tk 76,000 crore have been seized in the country and abroad, said Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) chief Ikhtiar Uddin Mohammad Mamun. 

He made this information at the BFIU annual report release ceremony at the Bangladesh Bank head office on Wednesday.

The BFIU chief said that assets worth Tk 57,000 crore of these individuals and institutions under joint investigation have been seized in the country. The remaining foreign assets worth Tk19,000 crore have been seized.

He said, “Efforts are being made to recover the assets that have been stolen from the country. Good news about the recovery of assets can be given by the end of this year.”

In response to a question, he said, “We do not look at party affiliation. Bank accounts are frozen only if there is suspicion. If someone from the interim government has done it, it will also come to light.”

During the interim government, a joint investigation team started working to investigate the illegal acquisition of assets, tax evasion, and money laundering by the Sheikh Hasina family and 10 industrial groups. The groups are – S Alam, Beximco, Nabil, Summit, Orion, NASA, Bashundhara, Dr. Iqbal’s Premier, Sikder, and former Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed’s Aramit Group.

In light of the investigation report, in addition to asset seizure, various initiatives are underway, including cases and agreements with international legal aid organisations to bring back assets from abroad.