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ACC Files Case Against 6 Members of Sheikh Family
Rtv News
12 Jan 2025, 17:50
Photo: Collected
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against six members of the Sheikh family, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana, for allegedly illegally acquiring government plots under their names in the Purbachal New Town Project.
On Sunday (January 12), the ACC Director General confirmed the matter. He stated that the ACC has filed a case against 16 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana.
The ACC began investigating the matter on December 26. On that day, ACC Director General Md Akhtar Hossain stated that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina misused her power under Article 13/A of the Constitution based on political considerations.
Through various irregularities and corruption, and with the assistance of senior RAJUK officials, she secured the allocation of six 10-katha plots (totalling 60 kathas) in the diplomatic zone on Road 203, Sector 27 of the Purbachal New Town Project. These plots were registered under her own name, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, her daughter Saima Wazed (Putul), her younger sister Sheikh Rehana, her sister's son Redwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, and her sister's daughter Azmira Siddiqi.
He further stated that the allegations described in newspaper clippings appear to be specific, evidence-based, and fall under the offenses listed in the ACC schedule. Therefore, it was deemed appropriate to investigate the matter through the ACC's Special Investigation Division.
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Asif Nazrul Expresses Gratitude to His Wife
Dr Asif Nazrul, Advisor on Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs expressed his gratitude towards his wife by saying, "The fact that I could write again after 15 years is because of my wife. I am deeply grateful to her."
On Saturday evening (14 December), he made this statement during a discussion event about his novel 'Ami Abu Bakar' held at the National Museum auditorium in Dhaka.
Asif Nazrul said, "Sometimes when I feel down, I shared with my wife, "Will there ever be a time in my life when I won't have to do anything? No worries at all? I'll just sleep and write.' My wife always replies, 'Of course, that time will come. I'll set up a coffee shop for you, and you'll just write and write.'"
He added, "There was a 15-year gap in my writing. The fact that I could write again after 15 years is entirely because of her. I'm publicly saying this – thank you."
Referring to his disdain for Awami League's politics, the law advisor remarked, "Over the past 15 years, we've endured a nightmarish rule. I don't know what sin we committed to having a ruler like Sheikh Hasina in our country. She has destroyed all our social bonds. We despised the Awami League's politics of tagging and victimizing people, and we still do."
NASA's Chief Astronaut Acaba Arrives in Dhaka
Joseph M. Acaba, Chief Astronaut of NASA has arrived in Dhaka to engage with Bangladesh's youth generations, educational institutions, and media representatives.
On Sunday morning (December 15), Acaba attended an event titled "Exploring Space, Inspiring Young Minds" held at Playpen School in the capital's Bashundhara Residential Area.
This visit marks a significant milestone in the country's history as it is the first time a NASA Chief Astronaut has visited Bangladesh.
Acaba participated in an inspiring conversation by answering questions from young students of the school. The event generated significant interest among students and teachers alike.
During the event, Acaba shared various insights about space exploration and the daily lives of astronauts. He also discussed the role of technological advancements through space exploration in addressing global challenges, particularly in tackling the climate crisis.
It has been reported that, in addition to institutional engagements, Acaba will appear in a television interview. During the interview, he will discuss NASA's contributions to global science and technology, as well as how Bangladesh can benefit from collaboration in space research and technology development. He is expected to highlight the importance of partnerships like the Artemis Accords.
Joseph M. Acaba is a former teacher, hydrogeologist, and Peace Corps volunteer. He is the first Puerto Rican-born individual to be selected as a NASA astronaut candidate. In 2023, Acaba was appointed as the Chief of NASA's Astronaut Office.
As an astronaut, he has participated in three missions, spending over 306 days in space, including conducting spacewalks and leading groundbreaking scientific research aboard the International Space Station.
ACC Investigates Allegations of Embezzlement of Tk80,000 Cr Against Hasina
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided to investigate allegations of embezzlement amounting to Tk80,000 crore from various projects against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Among these allegations, one involves the embezzlement of over $5 billion (approximately Tk59,000 crore) from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP).
According to a senior ACC official, the decision was made on Tuesday (December 17) at the commission's headquarters.
The allegations are not limited to Sheikh Hasina but also involve her sister Sheikh Rehana, son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and niece Tulip Siddiq. The allegations include corruption in the Rooppur project as well as other initiatives like the Ashrayan Project.
Previously on December 15, the High Court issued a rule asking why ACC's inaction in investigating the alleged embezzlement of $5 billion from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) via a Malaysian bank by Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and niece Tulip Siddiq should not be declared illegal.
On September 3, a petition was filed by Bobby Hajjaj, Chairman of the National Democratic Movement (NDM), seeking a directive for the ACC to investigate these allegations. The petition challenged the legality of ACC's inaction regarding corruption by Sheikh Hasina and her family members.
Notably, after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government following the July Revolution, a report by the US-based media outlet Global Defense Corp on August 17 alleged that over $5 billion was embezzled from the Rooppur project. The report claimed that the implementing agency Rosatom facilitated this embezzlement through a Malaysian bank, allegedly involving Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and niece Tulip Siddiq.
The report also stated that the Rooppur project implemented with Russian collaboration, was budgeted at $12.65 billion—an amount significantly higher than required. Of this budget, $5 billion was reportedly embezzled through a Malaysian bank. Tulip Siddiq allegedly mediated the deal between Sheikh Hasina and Russia, receiving 30% of the embezzled funds along with Sheikh Rehana and other family members.
However, on August 20, Rosatom issued a statement denying all allegations mentioned in the Global Defense Corp report, stating that they were prepared to seek legal recourse to protect their reputation and interests.
School Admission Lottery Results Published: How to Check
Lottery results for admission to government and non-government schools (in metropolitan and district-level sub-divisional areas) for grades one through nine have been published.
The results were announced on Tuesday (December 17) at an event held in the auditorium of the International Mother Language Institute in the capital.
How to Check the Results:
The results of the digital lottery for admission can be accessed through the website https://gsa.teletalk.com.bd and via SMS on Teletalk mobile.
SMS Method:
Send GSAResultUser ID to 16222.
Admission Policy and Selection Process:
The selection process for the lottery adhered to government admission policies. Various quotas, including general, catchment area, children of freedom fighters/martyrs, disabled students, government primary school attendees, and other categories, were considered as per the guidelines.
The selection process was completed based on the availability of seats and the applicant’s class, shift, and preference order. Students were automatically selected through a software-driven random digital lottery process. The digital online lottery was supervised by the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) and the Bangladesh Computer Council to ensure 100% transparency.
Event and Key Officials:
The event’s chief guest was Professor Dr. M. Aminul Islam, Special Assistant to the Ministry of Education (Ministerial rank). The program was presided over by DSHE Director General (Routine Duty) Professor Md. Mozakkar Hossain Chowdhury.
Application Statistics for the 2025 Academic Year:
Under DSHE’s purview, online admission applications for the 2025 academic year were accepted from November 12 to November 31.
For 680 government schools, 635,072 applications were received for 108,716 available seats across grades one through nine.
For 3,198 non-government schools, 348,467 applications were submitted for 1,007,673 available seats.
The digital lottery method was used to allocate seats across classes for both government and non-government schools.
Dr. Yunus to Deliver Speech at Al-Azhar University Today
Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to deliver a speech at Egypt's Al-Azhar University in Cairo on Thursday, December 19. He is currently in Egypt on a two-day visit to attend the D-8 Summit.
Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor, Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar, confirmed that Dr. Yunus will deliver the speech at the invitation of Grand Imam Ahmed El-Tayeb of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif Mosque.
Earlier, Grand Imam Ahmed El-Tayeb extended the invitation during a meeting with Dr. Yunus at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan, on November 12. The meeting took place during an international gathering where the Grand Imam requested Dr. Yunus to address the prestigious Egyptian university.
During his visit, the Chief Advisor will also participate in the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation Summit, commonly known as the D-8 Summit, being held in Cairo on Thursday.
The Deputy Press Secretary added that, on the sidelines of the summit, Dr. Yunus will hold bilateral meetings with several heads of state from D-8 member countries, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
On Wednesday, December 18, at 11:00 AM local time, Dr. Yunus and his delegation arrived in Cairo. The Chief Advisor's flight departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 1:20 AM on Tuesday night, heading for Egypt.
The D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, also known as Developing-8, is a collaborative forum for economic development among Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey.
Bangladesh Wins The Economist's "Country of the Year" Title
As in previous years, British magazine The Economist has chosen the best country of the year. This year, Bangladesh has won the title of The Economist's Country of the Year 2024 for the student-led uprising that ended 15 years of autocratic rule.
According to a report published by The Economist on Thursday (December 19), five countries were in the final shortlist for the title of the best country of 2024. Besides Bangladesh, the other contenders were Syria, Argentina, South Africa, and Poland. After intense debate among The Economist's correspondents, Bangladesh was ultimately selected.
Syria was the runner-up for ousting Bashar al-Assad from power. Additionally, Argentina was recognized for its economic reforms, while South Africa and Poland were shortlisted for forming new governments in opposition to poor governance.
In its announcement, the British magazine clarified that the choice of the best country is not based on wealth, happiness, or moral superiority. Instead, the title is awarded to the country that has shown the most progress in the past 12 months.
Why Bangladesh Stood Out
In its report, The Economist stated, “Our winner this year is Bangladesh.” The report noted that in August, a student-led movement ousted Sheikh Hasina’s government, which had been in power for 15 years. Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of a freedom fighter, had once led Bangladesh’s rapid economic growth. However, over time, her rule turned increasingly repressive, with election rigging, jailing of opponents, and ordering security forces to shoot protesters. Corruption and misappropriation of funds also surged during her tenure.
The report also pointed out the challenges associated with Bangladesh’s political transition, mentioning the history of retaliatory violence during such periods. It described the main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), as corrupt and highlighted the threat posed by the rise of Islamist extremism. However, it praised the interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, which has received support from students, the military, businesses, and civil society. The interim administration has restored order and stabilized the economy.
The Economist's Perspective
The report emphasized that Bangladesh's progress is promising, but challenges remain. The country must restore its relationship with India in 2025 and decide when to hold elections. It must first ensure judicial impartiality and allow opposition parties to organize—none of which will be easy. Still, Bangladesh’s strides toward forming a more liberal government after toppling an autocrat make it deserving of the title this year.
Past Winners
In 2023, Greece won the Country of the Year title for overcoming a prolonged financial crisis and re-electing a moderate, centrist government. Previous winners have included Colombia for ending its civil war, Ukraine for resisting Russian aggression, and Malawi for its strides toward democratization.
Advisor Hasan Arif Passes Away
The Advisor for Civil Aviation and Tourism and Land in the caretaker government, A.F.M. Hasan Arif, has passed away (Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raji'un). He died of cardiac arrest on Friday (December 20) at LabAid Hospital in the capital.
The matter was confirmed by Md. Nasir Uddin, who served as the personal secretary to Hasan Arif at the Ministry of Land. He stated, "Hasan Arif passed away at 3:10 PM at LabAid Hospital."
On August 8, Hasan Arif was appointed as the Advisor for Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives as well as the Ministry of Land in the caretaker government. Later, he was entrusted with the responsibilities of the Land Ministry and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.
Hasan Arif was a senior lawyer of the Supreme Court. He began his legal career in 1970. From October 2001 to April 2005, he served as the Attorney General of Bangladesh. Additionally, he acted as the Legal Advisor to the caretaker government from 2008 to January 2009.
Hasan Arif was born in Kolkata in 1941. He completed his secondary and higher secondary education at St. Xavier’s College in Kolkata. Later, he obtained his bachelor's and LLB degrees from the University of Calcutta. He began his legal career at the Calcutta High Court in 1967 and subsequently moved to Dhaka to practice law at the Bangladesh High Court.
