Dhaka: The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated legal proceedings against Saima Wazed Putul, the daughter of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of securing the position of WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia through false pretenses and extracting Tk 33 crore from 20 banks under the guise of Shuchona Foundation funding.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, ACC Deputy Director Tahsin Munabil Haque lodged two cases at the ACC's Integrated District Office Dhaka-1. The first case charges Putul with abusing her influence, committing fraud, and forgery to obtain the prestigious WHO position. The second case alleges collaboration between Putul and Nazrul Islam Mazumder to coerce member banks of the Bangladesh Association of Banks into donating Tk 33.05 crore from their corporate social responsibility funds to the Shuchona Foundation, where Putul was the chairperson.
The case documentation accuses Putul of falsifying her credentials in her 2023 application for the WHO Regional Director role. The ACC's investigation revealed that Putul claimed to be involved in academic activities at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) despite no actual engagement. Her CV inaccurately listed her as an 'Honorary Specialist/Expert at BSMMU' from 2022 onwards, a claim refuted by BSMMU authorities who confirmed her lack of involvement in any academic or research activities.
The ACC has invoked Sections 420, 468, and 471 of the Penal Code, alongside Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1947, to charge Putul with misrepresentation and forgery to secure the WHO position.
Additionally, the second case underlines the alleged coercive tactics used by Putul and Nazrul to secure bank contributions to the Shuchona Foundation. ACC's investigation discovered no physical office for the foundation, raising suspicions of fund embezzlement through falsified records. The ACC is committed to a thorough investigation to uncover the full extent of the alleged financial misconduct.