Dhaka, 26 November (H.S.): Investigators from Bangladesh's National Board of Revenue (NBR) have discovered nearly 10 kilograms of gold jewelry after opening two bank lockers registered in the name of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The seizure, which occurred on Monday, is part of a sweeping process by the interim government to confiscate her assets following a death sentence handed down in absentia by the International Crimes Tribunal earlier this month.
Details of the Seizure
According to reports, the NBR's Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) opened lockers number 751 and 753 at the principal branch of Agrani Bank in Dhaka's Motijheel district. Inside, they found 832.51 bhori (approximately 9.704 kilograms) of gold ornaments, along with various awards and gifts Hasina had received from both domestic and foreign sources.
Officials noted that another locker in Hasina's name, located at a Pubali Bank branch, was also opened on the same day but was found to be empty. The 'bhori,' a traditional unit of mass in South Asia, is equivalent to approximately 11.66 grams.
Asset Freeze Following Tribunal Verdict
The asset seizure is a direct consequence of the legal and political turmoil that has engulfed Bangladesh since Hasina was ousted from power in August following mass student-led protests. Now in exile, Hasina was sentenced to death on November 17 by the International Crimes Tribunal for alleged crimes against humanity related to the violent suppression of those protests.
The interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, has since initiated extensive investigations into allegations of corruption and tax evasion against Hasina and her family, leading to the freezing of numerous bank accounts and properties.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
