London, Sep 18 (V7N)- The Bangladesh government has requested the United Kingdom's assistance in investigating the overseas assets of key individuals from the regime of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, according to a report by the Financial Times. The newly formed interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, is launching a major anti-corruption drive following Hasina’s ousting in a mass student uprising last month.

As part of its effort to recover significant amounts of wealth allegedly siphoned off during Hasina’s two-decade rule, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H Mansur revealed that his administration is investigating the diversion of Tk 2,05,218 crore (around £13 billion) in assets sent abroad. Mansur indicated that a large portion of these funds is suspected to be laundered to several countries, with a particular focus on the UK, where a £150 million property portfolio linked to Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, the former land minister, has been identified.

The investigation primarily targets Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, whose property acquisitions between 2019 and 2022 include notable real estate in central London, such as Emerson Bainbridge House in Fitzrovia and 61 properties in Tower Hamlets. Chowdhury maintains that his wealth is legitimate, attributing it to his involvement in international business. His lawyer, Ajmalul Hossain KC, has criticized the probe as a “witch-hunt” by the new government.

This probe is part of a broader attempt to clamp down on corruption, vote-rigging, and rights abuses that have plagued Hasina’s administration. Mansur emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages, with the UK providing technical support to trace the wealth, though the UK government has not officially confirmed the specifics of Bangladesh's request for assistance.

Diplomatic concerns have arisen due to the involvement of Tulip Siddiq, Sheikh Hasina’s niece, who plays a prominent role in the UK’s Labour government. Although Siddiq has not been implicated in any wrongdoing, her family connection adds a layer of complexity to the situation.

In addition to the UK, Bangladesh plans to seek similar assistance from the United States, Singapore, and the UAE in recovering diverted funds. Mansur stressed that recovering these assets is critical for restoring public trust and preventing future financial abuses.

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