ACC asks IGP to initiate Interpol notice for Hasina

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has written to the police headquarters seeking steps to issue an Interpol red notice to trace and repatriate former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy to face trial in Bangladesh as both of them are accused in multiple corruption cases following their ouster in the July 5 student-public uprising. 

ACC Deputy Director (PR) Akhtarul Islam confirmed the development to reporters on Thursday stating, "The investigation officers of the case have sent this letter to the Inspector General of Police." 

He added that a court order, arrest warrants, charge sheets, complaints and filled-in red notice forms accompany the request to police authorities. "In the interest of justice, the learned court has issued an arrest warrant to find out the whereabouts of Sheikh Hasina and bring her back to the country," he said. A separate communication has also been sent regarding Sajeeb Wazed Joy containing similar details.

The ACC's letter specifies the identities of the mother and son including their national identity card numbers, passport details, parental names and addresses. It states that Sheikh Hasina has been residing in India since her ouster in August 2024, while Joy has long been based in the United States. Other members of the Sheikh family are also reportedly abroad.

The commission's investigation into the former prime minister and her family began in December last year in connection with allegations of abuse of power and corruption in the allocation of six plots in Sector 27 of the Purbachal New City Project. On January 12 this year, the ACC filed six separate cases against Hasina, Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, sister Sheikh Rehana, Rehana's son Radwan Mujib Siddique Bobby, daughter Tulip Rizwana Siddique and Azmina Siddique Ruponti. Sheikh Hasina has been made accused in all six cases, while several family members have been indicted in more than one.

According to the ACC, the accused "Taking plots of the Purbachal Housing Project despite being disqualified under existing law" and unlawfully gained benefits by abusing state power. On July 31, two special judges' courts in Dhaka framed charges in the cases and ordered trials to commence.

In its statement, the ACC emphasized that the issuance of a red notice was essential to bring the absconding accused to justice. "No one is above the law and the accused cannot escape accountability by remaining abroad," the agency noted.