Dhaka: Nurjahan Begum, the wife of Feni's former MP Nizam Uddin Hazari, has been found in possession of extensive assets and substantial bank balances with no clear legal sources of income. Despite not being involved in any profession or income-generating activities, she amassed significant wealth over a short period.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) uncovered these irregularities following an investigation into allegations of corruption against the former MP and his wife. The ACC discovered that both Nizam Hazari and Nurjahan Begum had invested large sums in various companies, with Nizam investing Tk. 11.68 crore in six companies and his wife investing Tk. 26.28 crore in eight companies.
Further findings revealed that Hazari purchased 1,300 decimal of land in the Feni Municipality area for a deed value of Tk. 53.94 crore. The couple also owned a flat in Gulshan, and Nurjahan Begum owned additional properties, including three flats in Gulshan, three in Paltan, Mohammadpur, and Kakrail, and a four-storey building in Mohammadpur. The estimated value of these properties is Tk. 14.52 crore.
The ACC's investigation also showed that Nizam Hazari had deposits exceeding Tk. 12.60 crore in 36 bank accounts, while Nurjahan Begum had Tk. 3.58 crore in 20 bank accounts. The actual market value of the assets acquired by Nurjahan Begum in Dhaka and Chittagong is believed to be significantly higher.
Nurjahan Begum possessed an arms license for her safety and employed a bodyguard. ACC Deputy Director Mohammad Nurul Huda led the investigation, uncovering extensive movable and immovable assets, including significant bank deposits.
In response, the Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain's court ordered the freezing of these assets and directed authorities not to transfer them, supporting the ACC's petition. The ACC discovered a flat under the joint name of Nizam Hazari and Nurjahan Begum in Gulshan, valued at Tk. 74.10 lakh, along with additional flats with a total deed value of Tk. 3 crore.
Further investigations revealed that Nurjahan owned 49.50 kathas of land in Mohammadpur, with purchases documented in 2017, and additional land in Ghatarchar, Keraniganj, Ramgarh, Khagrachari, and Joydevpur, Gazipur. A total of Tk. 19.29 crore was found deposited across multiple bank accounts.
Legal actions have been initiated against Nizam Hazari and his wife for the acquisition of these illegal assets. The investigation highlighted how Nizam Hazari allegedly abused his power to acquire significant wealth in his wife's name.