In just eight months, Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has seized a large amount of assets from politicians, businessmen, and government officials accused of corruption. These include houses, flats, commercial properties, and land.

According to ACC sources, from July to February, courts issued 74 seizure orders at the request of the commission. These orders resulted in the seizure of approximately 192 acres of land, 28 buildings, 38 flats, and 15 plots. Among the seized vehicles were 23 cars and even three ships.

ACC officials stated that the total value of both domestic and foreign seized assets is estimated to be around BDT 10,000 crore (approx. USD 900 million).

The ACC ramped up its anti-corruption drive following the ousting of the Awami League government on August 5 after the July mass uprising. Allegations suggest that the ACC had shown little initiative during the Awami League’s tenure, only investigating those who fell out of the government’s favor or received negative media attention.

On October 29, former ACC Chairman Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah, along with Commissioners Md. Zahurul Haque (investigation) and Mosammat Asia Khatun (enquiry), resigned. Though they showed some activity after the political shift, insiders claim most of it was superficial.

On December 10, the government appointed Senior Secretary Mohammad Abdul Momen as the new ACC chairman. Commissioners Miah Muhammad Ali Akbar Azizi and Brigadier General (Retd.) Hafiz Ahsan Farid were also appointed. The ACC has since been regularly filing seizure petitions, which courts have been granting.

Although there is no consolidated public list of individuals whose assets have been seized, various court orders and ACC sources have revealed several names.

Members of the Sheikh family appear on the list. On April 30, a court ordered the seizure of land and plots belonging to Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, sister Sheikh Rehana, and Rehana’s children Azmina Siddiq and Radwan Mujib Siddiq.

Among former ministers and MPs with seized assets are Tajul Islam, Nasrul Hamid, Enamur Rahman, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Mirza Azam, Zakir Hossain, and Jannatul Ferdous Henry. Assets belonging to Sheikh Hasina’s advisor Salman F. Rahman were also seized.

At an inter-agency task force meeting on April 16, it was revealed that a court had ordered the seizure of around BDT 17,000 crore worth of shares belonging to Sheikh Hasina, her family, and ten industrial groups. Additionally, around BDT 4,000 crore held in bank accounts was frozen, and travel bans were imposed on 84 individuals.

Two ACC directors, speaking anonymously to People’s Time, said that as soon as suspicious illegal assets are identified, the commission petitions the court to seize or freeze them, preventing the accused from selling them. After investigations conclude, charge sheets are filed. If the accused are convicted, the court orders the confiscation of the illegal assets in favor of the state. However, seizing and repatriating assets from abroad is a long and complex process.

Among government officials whose assets have been seized is former RAJUK Assistant Director Md. Shamsul Alam Milky. According to ACC sources, he built an eight-story building in Sector 9 of Uttara, Dhaka, through bribery, corruption, and irregularities.

Prothom Alo interviewed the caretaker of the building, Md. Sohel Mia, who said there are 10 flats in the building, with the owner living on the second floor. Excluding his own flat, the property generates about BDT 2.5 lakh in monthly rent. He said he collects the rent and hands it over to ACC officials, who come to collect the money.

Most individuals targeted by the ACC now were part of or benefited from the previous government. Historically, the ACC has shown little initiative against those in power.

Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh, told People’s Time that the ACC must also take action against those currently in power or affiliated with it when corruption allegations arise. Regarding seized assets, he said the process is complex, but once a court rules, the assets are permanently confiscated by the state. He added that a reform commission has recommended that 10% of seized assets be allocated to the ACC itself, which would motivate the institution and help build a dedicated fund.