Approximately **BDT 76,000 crore** worth of assets linked to former Prime Minister **Sheikh Hasina**, her family members, and 10 associated business groups have been frozen in Bangladesh and abroad, according to information published by various media outlets citing the relevant investigative authorities. The frozen assets reportedly include bank accounts, land, apartments, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, company shares, luxury vehicles, and various movable and immovable properties located overseas.
The asset freeze has been carried out under court orders as part of ongoing investigations into allegations of corruption, money laundering, illicit wealth accumulation, and abuse of power. The relevant authorities have stated that further legal action will be taken in accordance with court decisions once the investigations are completed.
Legal proceedings concerning these allegations are currently ongoing. The allegations have **not been proven in court**, and the individuals concerned are **presumed innocent until proven guilty through the judicial process**.
Assets Worth BDT 76,000 Crore Linked to Sheikh Hasina’s Family and 10 Business Groups Frozen: BFIU
The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has announced that assets worth approximately BDT 76,000 crore linked to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her family members, and 10 major business groups have been frozen under court orders in Bangladesh and abroad.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by Ikhtiar Uddin Mohammad Mamun, Head of the BFIU, during the publication ceremony of the agency's annual report at the Bangladesh Bank headquarters.
According to Mamun, assets worth BDT 57,000 crore have been frozen within Bangladesh, while BDT 19,000 crore worth of assets have been frozen overseas. However, he declined to disclose the amount attributed to any individual or business group.
The BFIU chief also stated:
"Efforts are ongoing to recover assets that were allegedly transferred out of the country. We hope to share positive progress on asset recovery by the end of this year."
Entities Under Investigation
Following the student-led mass uprising on 5 August 2024, which resulted in the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from office, investigations were launched under the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus.
The investigations involve allegations of bribery, corruption, fraud, forgery, tax and customs evasion, currency smuggling, and money laundering against Sheikh Hasina's family and the following 10 business groups:
- S. Alam Group
- Beximco Group
- Nabil Group
- Summit Group
- Orion Group
- Gemcon Group
- Nasa Group
- Bashundhara Group
- Sikder Group
- Aramit Group
The investigations are being conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the National Board of Revenue (NBR), and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), with overall coordination by the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU).
Investigations Based on Suspicious Transactions
During the event, a journalist asked why investigations often begin after a change in government and whether members of the interim government would also be investigated if allegations arise.
Responding to the question, BFIU chief Ikhtiar Uddin Mohammad Mamun said:
"We do not consider political affiliation or personal identity when carrying out our responsibilities. Whenever suspicious financial transactions are identified, investigations are initiated and bank accounts may be frozen if necessary. If anyone is found to have violated the law, appropriate legal action will be taken regardless of who they are. The same standards will apply to members of the interim government if credible evidence emerges."
Legal Note: The investigations are ongoing. The allegations have not been proven in court, and all individuals concerned are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty through the judicial process.
