Dhaka, Nov 27 (V7N) – The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has recovered 9.707 kilograms (832 tolas) of gold from three bank lockers registered in the name of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as part of the verification of submitted asset declarations. The lockers contained various gold ornaments, including items shaped like boats and deer.

ACC Director General Md Akhtar Hossain confirmed the recovery during a regular media briefing at the ACC headquarters on Wednesday.

The investigation was led by Deputy Director (Special Audit & Investigation-1) Md Masudur Rahman, who filed an application on September 14, 2025, before the Senior Special Judge Court in Dhaka seeking permission to open the lockers. The court authorized the opening of the lockers in the presence of a judicial magistrate, a bullion expert from Bangladesh Bank, an NBR tax intelligence official, two officers nominated by the Central Intelligence Cell (CIC), and relevant bank officials.

Following the court order, the three lockers at Pubali Bank PLC’s Motijheel Corporate Branch and Agrani Bank PLC’s Principal Branch were opened on November 25, 2025. Locker No. 128 at Pubali Bank, registered in Sheikh Hasina’s name, contained an empty small jute bag.

Meanwhile, Locker No. 751/Big/196 at Agrani Bank, jointly registered to Sheikh Hasina and Saima Wazed Putul, yielded approximately 4,923.60 grams of gold ornaments. Another locker at the same bank, No. 753/Big/200, registered to Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana Siddiqi, contained 4,783.56 grams of gold ornaments.

The ACC indicated that, according to locker records and attached notes, the recovered gold may belong to Sheikh Hasina and her family members, including Sheikh Rehana Siddiqi, Saima Wazed Putul, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and Bibi. After a preliminary inventory, the valuables were handed over to branch managers for safekeeping.

The commission stated that following detailed review, ownership verification, and valuation by certified gold appraisers, legal responsibility and ownership under the Government Toshakhana Act will be determined. Under this Act, officials are required to declare gifts, cash, or valuables received due to their public office, and unauthorized retention or misappropriation can lead to legal consequences.

This recovery has sparked discussion on compliance with the Government Toshakhana Act and the transparency of asset declarations by public officials.

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