The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has frozen Tk 635.14 crore across 124 bank accounts belonging to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family, officials disclosed on Tuesday.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam revealed the figures during a post-meeting briefing following a high-level discussion on money laundering, chaired by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.

The interim government has announced plans to introduce a special law within the next week to recover an estimated $234 billion allegedly siphoned off during Hasina’s tenure.

A joint investigation involving the BFIU, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), National Board of Revenue (NBR), and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) led to the asset freeze. Authorities have also seized a 60-katha RAJUK plot valued at Tk 1.8 crore, 10 decimals of land worth Tk 8.85 crore, and eight flats. Additionally, 11 bank accounts holding Tk 5.15 crore have been frozen.

Further investigations have traced assets linked to Hasina and her family across multiple countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Cayman Islands. A Malaysian bank account connected to a Russian "slush fund" has also been identified, according to Alam.

The ACC has filed six cases against Hasina’s family, citing fraud and forgery, with charge sheets submitted upon completion of investigations. Courts have imposed travel bans on seven family members.

High-priority cases under investigation

The interim government aims to resolve at least 50% of 11 high-profile money laundering cases by 2025, with the case against Hasina and her family topping the list, Alam said.

Investigations have also implicated former Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury and his associates, revealing assets in the UK, UAE, and Singapore. The BFIU has frozen 125 bank accounts linked to Chowdhury, containing Tk 15.06 crore.

The NBR is currently investigating 11 cases against Chowdhury and his associates on charges of fraud, forgery, and tax evasion. Courts have already attached four properties worth Tk 20 crore and are reviewing applications to seize two additional flats and 31,594.39 decimals of land.

Additionally, 39 bank accounts containing Tk 5.27 crore and shares valued at Tk 102.85 crore have been frozen. The joint investigation report revealed that three Mutual Legal Assistance Requests (MLARs) have been sent to the UAE, USA, and UK to attach overseas assets.

Sweeping asset seizures

The interim governemnt reports significant progress in tracking illicit funds. The BFIU and Joint Investigation Team (JIT) have submitted findings on 10 of the 11 high-priority cases, with one case involving the deposed prime minister still under investigation. Officials have gathered data on domestic and foreign bank accounts while imposing travel bans on 84 individuals.

The JIT has identified foreign investments and assets worth Tk 1,817 crore. The total frozen bank balance stands at Tk 872 crore, with Tk 614 crore blocked from 1,374 bank accounts. Additionally, shares valued at Tk 19,068 crore and 188 BO accounts containing shares worth Tk 15,050 crore have been frozen.

In a further crackdown, courts have ordered the seizure of assets amounting to $12.46 million, approximately £3.8 million, and €11.7 million.

The interim government has reiterated its commitment to recovering misappropriated funds and intensifying anti-corruption efforts in the coming months.