A court in Bangladesh has ordered the freezing of 14 bank accounts belonging to the Suchona Foundation, an organization linked to Saima Wazed Putul, daughter of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in exile in India. The accounts reportedly hold a total of 483.5 million Bangladeshi taka, according to an application filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
The order was issued on Tuesday, March 4, by Dhaka’s Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md. Zakir Hossain Galib following the ACC’s request. The commission provided detailed information about the bank accounts and alleged financial irregularities, prompting the court to approve their freezing.
According to court sources, as of November 24 last year, the accounts collectively contained 48.35 crore taka. The Suchona Foundation, registered under the Department of Social Services, is officially based at House No. 8, Road No. 32, Dhanmondi—a property used for the operations of the Bangabandhu Memorial Trust.
The ACC’s application states that Saima Wazed, the Regional Director for South-East Asia at the World Health Organization (WHO), is accused of leveraging her mother’s political influence to misappropriate government and WHO project funds. The commission is currently investigating allegations that she laundered hundreds of crores of taka abroad through fraudulent means.
Preliminary findings indicate that individuals associated with the Suchona Foundation have attempted to transfer, relocate, or conceal its movable assets. The ACC argued that any unauthorized transactions during the investigation could severely hinder future asset recovery efforts. Citing provisions under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, the commission deemed the freezing of these accounts necessary.
After reviewing the application and arguments, the court granted the ACC’s request and issued the freezing order. Prior to this, on November 24 last year, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), the central bank’s financial crime watchdog, had already ordered a suspension of the foundation’s bank accounts.
The case has reignited concerns over financial accountability and alleged misuse of political power in Bangladesh, with authorities pledging a thorough investigation into the matter.