ACC to file Tk 4.48 billion embezzlement case against Putul, 34 others

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is set to file a case against Saima Wazed Putul, daughter of ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, along with 34 others.

They are accused of embezzling Tk 4.48 billion through a fake organisation, Suchona Foundation, which allegedly collected donations as bribes from individuals and institutions.

On Monday, ACC Director General (Prevention) Md Akhter Hossain confirmed approval of the case to the media.

The ACC launched its investigation into Suchona Foundation after August 5 last year.

On November 24 last year, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) froze the foundation’s bank accounts. In February this year, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) revoked its tax exemption.

On January 29, 2025, the ACC raided the foundation’s office and declared it non-existent.

Earlier, in March, the ACC filed another case against Putul and two others over the embezzlement of Tk 330 million linked to the same foundation.

According to the new complaint, Putul and others registered the foundation with the NGO Affairs Bureau and the Department of Social Services, then collected “donations” in exchange for illegal benefits.

Instead of using the funds for the welfare of disabled people, as claimed, they allegedly misappropriated Tk 4.48 billion.

Accused trustees include Saima Wazed (Putul), Prof Dr Mazharul Mannan, Nazmul Hassan Papon, MP and former BCB president, Saifullah Abdullah Solenkhi, Zann Bari Rizvi, Vice Chairman Prof Dr Pran Gopal Datta, and Executive Committee members Mehraj Jahan, Prof Dr Ruhul Haque, Shirin Jaman Munir, and Dr Helaluddin Ahmed.

Among the accused businessmen are Intekabul Hamid, Chairman of Hamid Real Estate; Nurul Islam BSc, former minister; Salman F Rahman, MP and Vice Chairman of Beximco; Md Aziz Khan, Chairman of Summit Group; AKM Rahmatullah, former MP; Moinuddin Hasan Rashid, Chairman of United Group; Mostafa Kamal, Chairman of Meghna Group; and Enayetur Rahman, Chairman and Managing Director of Bill Trade Engineering Ltd.

Accused NBR officials include Md Nojibur Rahman, former NBR Chairman, along with Mir Mustaq Ali, Chowdhury Amir Hossain, Parvez Iqbal, Md Farid Uddin, Md Firoz Shah Alam, Barrister Jahangir Hossain, Dr Mahbubur Rahman, Md Lokman Chowdhury, Md Rezaul Hasan, Md Ziauddin Mahmud, Abdur Razzak, AFM Shahriar Molla (Abu Faisal Md Shahriar Molla), Sultan Md Iqbal, Tandra Sikder, and Kalipada Halder.

According to the ACC, the accused abused their positions by granting illegal tax waivers to the Suchona Foundation.

Between FY16 and FY25, the foundation allegedly evaded Tk 99 million in taxes and embezzled Tk 4.479 billion through fraud and forgery.

Investigators also found that the foundation operated 14 bank accounts, which recorded suspicious transactions worth Tk 9.30 billion.

In July this year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) placed Saima Wazed Putul on leave from her post as Director of its South-East Asia Regional Office.

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