December 24, 2024: An anti-corruption panel in Bangladesh has initiated a high-profile investigation against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and several members of her family, following allegations of embezzlement amounting to $5 billion linked to the Rooppur nuclear power plant project. According to reports from BDNews on Sunday, the investigation is centered around accusations that Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and her niece Tulip Siddiq were involved in transferring large sums of money from the project into foreign accounts, including a Malaysian bank.
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, located 160 kilometers west of the capital Dhaka, is Bangladesh's first nuclear power facility, being built with Russian assistance through Rosatom, a state-run corporation. The project also sees involvement from Indian companies. The scandal erupted after concerns about a $5 billion embezzlement surfaced, with allegations that funds from the project were misappropriated by high-ranking officials.
Hasina, 77, who has been living in India since August, along with her sister Rehana, is accused of overseeing the alleged illicit transfer. Sajeeb Wazed Joy, her son, resides in the United States, while Tulip Siddiq, a UK Treasury minister, is serving as a member of the British parliament. All three have reportedly been questioned by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) as part of the ongoing probe.
The investigation comes just days after Bangladesh's High Court issued a directive questioning why the ACC had not acted on the allegations of fund transfers. The court raised concerns over the failure to investigate the alleged illegal movement of $5 billion from the Rooppur project to a Malaysian account by Hasina, Joy, and Siddiq.
The corruption allegations were initially brought to light by Bobby Hajjaj, chairman of the National Democratic Movement (NDM). Hajjaj’s claims prompted the ACC to examine the supposed financial misappropriations tied to the project.
In addition to these corruption accusations, Sheikh Hasina and several former cabinet ministers, advisors, and other officials are facing charges of "crimes against humanity" and "genocide" related to violent events during her rule. The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh has also issued arrest warrants for Hasina and other individuals implicated in multiple murder cases connected to the protests that culminated in her departure from the country.
The legal and political turmoil surrounding Hasina and her family has drawn widespread attention, both within Bangladesh and internationally. As of now, the investigation into the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant's finances remains ongoing, with significant political ramifications looming.