Summary:
- The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into allegations of Tk 80,000 crore embezzlement involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family from major projects like Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and Ashrayan.
- The High Court issued a rule on December 15 questioning ACC’s inaction on corruption allegations, including claims of $5 billion siphoned through Malaysian banks by Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and niece Tulip Siddiq.
- The allegations surfaced after a writ petition filed in September 2024 by Bobby Hajjaj, chairman of the Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM), challenged the ACC’s failure to act on these claims.
- Rosatom, the Russian agency involved in the Rooppur project, denied accusations of facilitating corruption, calling them baseless and threatening legal action to protect its reputation.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has initiated an investigation into allegations of embezzlement involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her family members, and several high-profile government projects. The probe, announced on December 17, 2024, follows accusations of misappropriating approximately Tk 80,000 crore (around $7.3 billion) from various development initiatives, including the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and the Ashrayan Project.
According to ACC sources, the decision to investigate was made at the commission’s headquarters in Dhaka. The allegations implicate Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and her niece Tulip Siddiq. The charges include claims of siphoning funds through Malaysian banks and other irregularities in major national projects.
The controversy surrounding these allegations intensified after a writ petition was filed with the High Court on September 3, 2024. Bobby Hajjaj, chairman of the Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM), sought judicial directives for the ACC to investigate claims of embezzling Tk 60,000 crore from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant alone. The petition also challenged the ACC’s earlier inaction on the matter. On December 15, the High Court issued a rule asking why the ACC’s failure to act should not be deemed illegal.
The allegations have drawn significant attention due to their scale and implications. Reports suggest that Russian state nuclear agency Rosatom, which is overseeing the Rooppur project, was allegedly involved in facilitating the embezzlement. However, Rosatom has categorically denied these claims, describing them as baseless attempts to tarnish its reputation and emphasizing its commitment to transparency and anti-corruption measures.
This investigation comes after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster from power in December 2023 following a mass uprising led by students and citizens. The political fallout has been significant, with her family under intense scrutiny for alleged financial misconduct. The ACC’s probe also includes other projects such as BEPZA initiatives and housing programs under the Ashrayan scheme.
The developments mark a critical juncture in Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to address corruption and ensure accountability in governance. As investigations proceed, they are expected to have far-reaching consequences for both political dynamics and public trust in national institutions.
Source: Kalerkantha
