The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided to investigate corruption allegations involving over $5 billion (Tk59,000 crore) from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, along with other projects amounting to a total of Tk80,000 crore.
The allegations implicate former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and her niece Tulip Siddiq, among other family members.
The charges also involve irregularities in projects like Ashrayan, besides Rooppur.
In a recent meeting, the ACC decided to forward the matter to the director general (Special Investigation) for a detailed investigation, ACC Deputy Director Akhtarul Islam confirmed the development to Dhaka Tribune.
According to ACC sources, Ousted Sheikh Hasina is now in India, while her son is in the USA and her niece is in the UK. However, Sheikh Rehana's location is still unknown.
A clipping from the October 14, 2024, of Kaler Kantho was among the documents reviewed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) as part of its decision-making process. Drawing on the contents of the clipping and other submitted evidence, the commission has directed its Special Investigation Unit to conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged irregularities.
The Special Investigation Unit will now examine the claims detailed in the complaint and corroborated by media reports. "The commission is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability, irrespective of the stature of those involved," said an ACC official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
On Sunday, the High Court issued a rule questioning the legality of the ACC's inaction in investigating the alleged embezzlement of $5 billion (Tk 59,000 crore) from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) via Malaysian banks by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and niece Tulip Siddiq.
On September 3, Bobby Hajjaj, chairman of the Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM), filed a writ petition in the High Court, challenging the ACC's inaction in probing these allegations.
The ACC chairman and other officials were made respondents to the petition.
Reports about corruption involving Sheikh Hasina's family in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant appeared in multiple newspapers on August 19, which were later cited in the writ petition.
These reports, citing information from the Global Defence Corporation, alleged that Sheikh Hasina, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and Tulip Siddiq embezzled $5 billion through a Malaysian bank.
According to sources, including the ACC, Sheikh Hasina is accused of siphoning off over $5 billion from the Rooppur project.
Reports claim that the project implementation agency, Rosatom, facilitated this embezzlement through a Malaysian bank, with her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and niece Tulip Siddiq mediating the transactions.
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, the country's largest and most expensive project, was estimated to cost $12.65 billion, significantly higher than necessary.
Of this amount, $5 billion was allegedly embezzled, with Tulip Siddiq playing a key role in facilitating the deal with Russia during Sheikh Hasina's tenure as Prime Minister.
Tulip Siddiq, Sheikh Rehana, and other family members reportedly received 30% of the laundered money as commission.
According to media reports, Tulip Siddiq was present during Sheikh Hasina's 2013 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which she reportedly mediated billion-dollar arms deals between Dhaka and Moscow.
The Global Defence Corporation also alleges that Tulip Siddiq, along with Sheikh Rehana and Tarique Ahmed Siddiq, set up a shell company called "Prochchaya Limited" in 2009 and another company, "Jumana Investments," in the US to facilitate money laundering.
These companies allegedly worked with Destiny Group, a fraudulent fund, to launder $900 million across various countries, including the UK.