Bangladesh freezes Sheikh Hasina assets worth $6.19 billion as authorities expand investigations into alleged corruption, money laundering and tax evasion. The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit says asset recovery efforts are underway with support from multiple government agencies.
Bangladesh Freezes Sheikh Hasina Assets Worth $6.19 Billion
Bangladesh has frozen assets worth Tk 760 billion (about $6.19 billion) linked to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her family members and ten of the country's largest business groups. The move marks one of the biggest financial enforcement actions since the political transition that followed the 2024 student-led uprising.
Sheikh Hasina Investigation Expands
Speaking during the release of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) annual report in Dhaka, BFIU chief Ikhtiar Uddin Mohammad Mamun said court orders enabled authorities to freeze Tk 570 billion in assets within Bangladesh and another Tk 190 billion overseas. He did not disclose how much of the frozen assets belonged to individual family members or each business group.
The investigation began after Sheikh Hasina left office on August 5, 2024, following widespread protests. She later traveled to India, where she has remained since. The interim administration led by Professor Muhammad Yunus directed authorities to examine allegations including corruption, bribery, fraud, forgery, money laundering, foreign currency smuggling and tax evasion involving Hasina's family and several leading corporate groups.
Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit Leads Probe
According to the BFIU, authorities are concentrating on tracing and recovering assets that investigators believe were transferred outside Bangladesh. Mamun said officials are working with international partners and expressed hope that progress on recovering overseas assets could be announced before the end of the year.
The financial investigation is being coordinated by the BFIU with support from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The agencies are examining financial records, banking transactions and ownership structures connected to individuals and companies under investigation.
Business Groups Investigation Covers Major Companies
Authorities confirmed that the investigation includes S Alam Group, Beximco Group, Nabil Group, Summit Group, Orion Group, Premier Group, Nassa Group, Bashundhara Group, Sikder Group and Aramit Group. Officials have not announced individual findings against any of these companies, stating that investigations remain ongoing.
The large-scale asset freeze highlights Bangladesh's efforts to strengthen financial oversight while addressing allegations of illicit financial activity. Officials say legal procedures and court approvals continue to guide the investigation.
Asset Recovery Efforts Continue
Responding to questions about whether the investigations were politically motivated, Mamun said political affiliation plays no role in financial intelligence work. He stated that authorities focus on suspicious financial transactions regardless of an individual's position or identity.
Mamun also said banks are required to freeze accounts whenever suspicious activity is identified. He added that if evidence emerges involving members of the current interim government, those cases would also be investigated under the same legal framework.
The BFIU said the investigation remains active, with asset recovery now a priority. Authorities have indicated that additional developments could be announced as financial reviews, legal proceedings and international cooperation continue.
Source: Statements by the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) during the release of its annual report in Dhaka.
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