The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed two separate cases against Saima Wazed Putul, daughter of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on charges of securing a position at the World Health Organization (WHO) through false information and unlawfully obtaining BDT 3.3 billion from 20 banks under the name of the Suchona Foundation.
ACC Director General Md Akhtar Hossain confirmed the matter to journalists on Thursday (March 20).
According to the case details, Saima Wazed Putul allegedly committed fraud, document forgery, and abuse of power to secure the role of Regional Director for WHO's Southeast Asia Region. In her 2023 application to WHO, she falsely claimed involvement with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in activities related to teaching and academic material review, despite having no actual affiliation. As a result, a case has been requested against her under sections 420, 468, and 471 of the Penal Code and section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1947.
In a separate case, it is alleged that the former Chairperson of the Suchona Foundation, Saima Wazed, in collaboration with the former Chairman of the Bangladesh Association of Banks and EXIM Bank, Md Nazrul Islam Mazumdar, abused power and exerted undue influence to coerce various banks into contributing a total of BDT 3.305 billion from their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to the Suchona Foundation. This case has been filed under section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1947 and section 109 of the Penal Code.
