DE News Desk :
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has formally recommended that the Election Commission (EC) take legal action against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for allegedly submitting false information in her election affidavit during the 2008 general elections.
The recommendation was confirmed by ACC Chair Mohammad Abdul Momen during a press briefing at the commission’s headquarters in Segun Bagicha on Thursday.
According to Momen, the ACC identified “significant inconsistencies” between Hasina’s asset declaration submitted to the EC and her income tax records.
“Upon analysing the documents, we have found discrepancies that merit legal action under the Representation of the People Order, 1972,” he said.
The ACC’s findings reveal that Hasina, in her affidavit filed with the EC on November 19, 2008, declared ownership of 6.50 acres of land, valued at Tk 1.75 lakh, and movable assets worth approximately Tk 34.69 crore.
However, the ACC states that a deeper investigation into her financial disclosures uncovered ownership of 28.411 acres of land, including 16.966 acres purchased land worth over Tk 33.66 lakh, as well as undeclared movable assets totaling over Tk 51.81 crore.
The commission also claims that Hasina failed to disclose a luxury vehicle valued at Tk 1.93 crore in her affidavit.
“The issue has two dimensions,” Momen said.
“The matter of false declaration in the election affidavit has been referred to the Election Commission. The ACC will handle the second part involving discrepancies with income tax records, and further legal action is under process.”
This development comes months after the ouster of the Awami League-led government in August 2024, following a mass student-led uprising.
Sheikh Hasina fled to India shortly thereafter and remains there.
The former prime minister is currently facing multiple corruption and criminal charges.
On March 10, the ACC filed charge sheets against Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and 27 others in six separate cases related to the illegal allotment of land plots in the Purbachal New Town project by Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK).
A Dhaka court has since issued an arrest warrant for Hasina in connection with those cases.
Additionally, the ACC is investigating allegations of large-scale embezzlement involving Tk 80,000 crore across nine mega infrastructure projects.
This probe includes Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed, Sheikh Rehana, and Rehana’s daughter Tulip Siddiq—who recently lost her ministerial position in the UK.Another ongoing investigation targets alleged laundering of $300 million abroad by Hasina and her son.
Aside from corruption allegations, Sheikh Hasina is also facing numerous criminal charges, including cases related to alleged killings and acts of genocide.
As the investigations widen, the ACC’s recommendation to the Election Commission adds a new layer of legal and political complications for the former prime minister, further intensifying scrutiny on her past leadership and financial dealings.