ACC prosecutes Tarique Siddique, family over ‘illicit assets’

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated four separate cases against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s defence and security advisor Tarique Ahmed Siddique, his wife, and two daughters over allegations of having wealth beyond means.

The cases were filed at the ACC’s Dhaka Integrated District Office, the agency’s Director General Md Akhtar Hossain said on Thursday.

Tarique, who held his advisory role from 2009 until the government’s fall on Aug 5 last year, is accused of accumulating Tk 285.9 million in unexplained wealth.

The case, lodged by ACC Assistant Director Monirul Islam, also cites suspected abuse of power in acquiring the assets.

The national anti-graft also flagged suspicious transactions amounting to Tk 626 million across four of Tarique's bank accounts, claiming the funds were deposited and withdrawn “unlawfully”.

The agency charged Tarique under Sections 4(2) and 4(3) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act 2012, Section 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1947.

Investigators assessed that Tarique’s immovable assets amount to Tk 246 million, while his movable assets are worth Tk 193 million.

His household expenditures total Tk 50.1 million, and his liabilities stand at Tk 42 million, placing his overall wealth at around Tk 486.5 million.

By contrast, his legitimate earnings and debt-inclusive receivables stand at just over Tk 200 million.

The commission alleges that Tk 285.9 million of this amount cannot be accounted for.

CASES AGAINST HIS WIFE, DAUGHTERS

Three additional cases named his wife Shaheen Siddique and daughters Nurin Tasmiya Siddique and Bushra Siddique as co-accused.

Shaheen is accused of holding Tk 257.6 million in unexplained wealth.

Investigators say her 11 bank accounts saw “suspicious” transactions totalling Tk 593.8 million.

Nurin faces charges involving Tk 33.7 million in illicit wealth, while Bushra is accused of acquiring Tk 40.3 million beyond known income.

The allegations were brought under the applicable sections of the laws already referenced.

The ACC noted that the case documents leave scope for further charges or suspects to be added if new information surfaces.