Dhaka,  Monday 23 Dec 2024,
08:36:46 PM

ACC starts probing Tk 80,000cr reported graft of Hasina, family

Staff Reporter ।। The Daily Generation Times
17-12-2024 04:46:48 PM
ACC starts probing Tk 80,000cr reported graft of Hasina, family

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated an investigation into corruption allegations totaling Tk 80,000 crore across multiple projects involving Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and niece Tulip Siddiq, including other family members.The alleged corruption spans nine projects, including the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Special Shelter Project, Bangladesh Economic Zone (BEZA), and Bangladesh Export Processing Zone (BEPZA).ACC Director General (Prevention) Akhter Hossain confirmed the investigation on Tuesday (December 17). According to the ACC, Tk 21,000 crore worth of corruption has been identified in eight special priority projects under the Awami League government, while allegations of Tk 59,000 crore in irregularities have surfaced in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project alone.

ACC sources stated that the commission formally decided to investigate the matter during a meeting chaired by ACC Chairman Abdul Momen on Tuesday. The investigation specifically implicates Sheikh Hasina's immediate family members, including Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Sheikh Rehana, and Tulip Siddiq.

Earlier, on December 15, the High Court issued a rule questioning the ACC's inaction regarding the alleged corruption of $5 billion (approximately Tk 500 crore) in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project. The High Court bench of Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Mubina Asaf issued the rule following a writ petition filed by Barrister Shahedul Azam Tamal.

On September 3, Bobby Hajjaj, Chairman of the National Democratic Movement (NDM), filed the writ petition seeking directives for the ACC to investigate the corruption allegations against Sheikh Hasina and her family. The petition challenged the ACC's failure to act on the allegations and named the ACC Chairman and other relevant officials as respondents.

The investigation marks a significant step by the ACC amid increasing scrutiny of major infrastructure projects and growing calls for transparency in government spending.