Asif Nazrul: Rehana was Sheikh Hasina’s cashier

Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul has claimed that Sheikh Hasina's younger sister, Sheikh Rehana, acted as her "cashier" for corruption.

Additionally, Salman F Rahman, the former private investment adviser to the ex-Prime Minister, and former Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak, reportedly acted as Sheikh Rehana’s "cashiers."

Dr Nazrul made these statements on Monday during an anti-corruption discussion organized by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on International Anti-Corruption Day.

The event took place at the Diploma Engineers Institute auditorium in Dhaka’s Kakrail.

The event featured Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and head of the ACC Reform Commission, as a special guest.

ACC Secretary Khorhsheda Yasmin presided over the meeting, which was attended by ACC officials of various ranks.

Dr Asif Nazrul said: "Even a peon of the former Prime Minister became the owner of Tk400 crore. Shockingly, this was shamelessly admitted by the former Prime Minister in public."

He further said: "The ACC became subservient to the previous government. Now, no one is pressuring the ACC. However, good work can be done even under political pressure if one refrains from wrongdoing. This July's revolution has brought a new Bangladesh, forged with the blood of the youth."

Answering journalists' questions after the meeting, Dr Nazrul said: "If an interim commission is formed to run the ACC’s operations, it could create various complexities. Therefore, the government is working on appointing a new commission without further delay."

Dr Iftekharuzzaman emphasized: "Those involved in corruption must be brought to justice. The previous government illegally seized state power and established authoritarian rule. They repeatedly allowed black money to be whitened through unprecedented budgetary provisions. This authoritarianism led the youth to rise against it."

He added: "The commission and its staff were immersed in corruption in the past. ACC needs a sweeping overhaul to function effectively. The resignation of the ACC commission has disrupted its operations."

Dr Iftekharuzzaman suggested that the government consider forming an interim commission.

ACC Secretary Khorsheda Yasmin and ACC Director General Md Akhtar Hossain also spoke at the event.

Earlier at 8:00am, ACC Day programs began with the hoisting of the national and ACC flags, the singing of the national anthem, and the release of balloons and festoons.

ACC Secretary Khorsheda Yasmin, along with the commission’s directors general, inaugurated the day’s events.

A human chain was later formed in front of the ACC office.