The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided to file a case against Saima Wazed Putul, daughter of ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, along with 34 others, over allegations of embezzling Tk 448 crore.
According to the ACC, the accused allegedly set up a fake entity named Suchona Foundation and collected donations from various individuals and organizations in exchange for illicit favors. The funds were allegedly misappropriated instead of being spent for the welfare of people with disabilities.
ACC Director General Md Akhter Hossain confirmed the development to reporters on Monday, saying businesspeople made donations to the foundation in return for undue advantages.
The investigation into the Suchona Foundation began after August 5 last year. On November 24, 2024, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) froze the foundation’s bank accounts, and in February 2025, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) revoked its tax-exempt status. Later, on January 29, the ACC raided the foundation’s office and declared the organization non-existent.
According to the ACC probe, Putul and others registered the paper-based foundation with the NGO Affairs Bureau and the Department of Social Services. They then allegedly used the platform to solicit bribes in the name of donations.
The case will name 10 trustees of the foundation as accused. They include: Saima Wazed, Majharul Mannan, former BCB president and MP Nazmul Hassan Papon, Saifullah Abdullah Solenkhi, Zann Bari Rizvi, Vice Chairman Pran Gopal Dutta, executive committee members M S Mehraj Jahan, Ruhul Haque, Shirin Jaman Munir, and Dr Helal Uddin Ahmed.
