Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, a minister in Bangladesh, is under investigation due to his considerable wealth, which includes over 490 properties worldwide. Despite earning a modest salary, he has been accused of unlawful accumulation and laundering of funds. The central bank has frozen his accounts while inquiries continue into his financial activities.
Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, a minister in Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh, has come under scrutiny from the interim administration led by Mohammad Yunus due to his significant wealth. Despite earning an annual salary of Rs 11 lakh, Chowdhury reportedly owns over 490 properties globally, with a substantial portfolio including 300 properties in the United Kingdom alone. An investigative report from a media outlet has shed light on these alarming assets.
Following the mass protests in 2024, Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country, a situation that compelled Chowdhury to do the same in August 2024. His declared assets were estimated at Rs 20 crore in his income tax filings. His familial connections run deep, as Chowdhury’s father, Akhtaruzzaman, was a close advisor to Sheikh Hasina and a founding member of United Commercial Bank, amidst serious allegations surrounding him related to violent acts.
From 1992 to 2024, Chowdhury’s family reportedly acquired properties valued at approximately USD 295 million across major global cities. Since 2019, during his tenure as the land minister, his wealth appears to have escalated, with ownership of high-profile real estate such as a residence in the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and numerous properties in both Singapore and Malaysia.
The central bank of Bangladesh has taken steps against Chowdhury by freezing his and his family’s bank accounts. Additionally, the anti-corruption commission is investigating allegations of his unlawful accumulation of vast sums of money, purportedly amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars, which have been laundered to the United Kingdom, according to reports from Al-Jazeera.
In conclusion, Saifuzzaman Chowdhury’s extensive wealth, juxtaposed with his government salary, raises significant concerns about corruption and asset acquisition. His substantial real estate portfolio across multiple countries, alongside the investigations by Bangladesh’s authorities into his financial dealings, highlights a larger issue of transparency and accountability within the government. The ongoing inquiries could reveal the depths of financial misconduct in the realm of public service.
Original Source: www.india.com
