The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has taken a decisive legal step against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed, alleging that she concealed assets and submitted false information in her affidavit ahead of the 9th National Parliamentary Elections held in 2008.
In a formal letter to the Election Commission, the ACC has requested legal action under the Representation of the People Order, 1972, following an internal investigation that uncovered discrepancies between Sheikh Hasina's election affidavit and her income tax return.
At a press conference held at the ACC headquarters on Thursday, May 22, ACC Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen confirmed the move. "Our inquiry has found substantive inconsistencies in Sheikh Hasina's declared assets," he stated. Momen emphasised that the investigation is based solely on documentary evidence and statutory mandates, and not driven by political motives.
According to the Commission, the investigation compared Sheikh Hasina's asset declaration submitted during a 2007 probe with the affidavit she filed with the Election Commission on November 19, 2008. The affidavit claimed she owned 6.50 acres of agricultural land valued at Tk 1.75 lakh. However, records previously submitted to the ACC revealed ownership of 28.411 acres of land purchased in her name at Tk 33.66 lakh.
This discrepancy led the ACC to conclude that she allegedly concealed 21.91 acres of land and underreported its value by Tk 31.91 lakh in her electoral affidavit.
Further allegations involve the import of a luxury Mercedes-Benz vehicle, allegedly facilitated through the duty-free quota of then Magura-1 lawmaker Professor Dr. Mohammad Sirajul Akbar. The car, valued at €230,000 (equivalent to Tk 1.93 crore), was reportedly registered under Dhaka Metro-Gha-11-6364 and used at Sheikh Hasina's Dhanmondi residence. Neither the vehicle nor its value appeared in Akbar's income tax filings or his election affidavit. Akbar has denied ever using or owning the car.
Given these findings, the ACC has recommended legal proceedings against Sheikh Hasina for providing false information and concealing material facts under the Representation of the People Order.
In addition, the Commission has launched a fresh investigation into allegations of illegal wealth accumulation by Sheikh Hasina. This new probe, initiated on May 18, is being led by Deputy Director Masudur Rahman.
