832 worth of gold ornaments seized from Hasina’s locker

Gold ornaments worth Rs 832 seized from Sheikh Hasina's two vaults

832 worth of gold ornaments have been seized from two lockers of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was convicted of crimes against humanity, at the main branch of Agrani Bank. On Tuesday (November 25) night, a joint investigation team of the Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) seized these gold ornaments from two lockers of Agrani Bank in the presence of a magistrate.

It is learned that two and a half months after the seizure, the two lockers were opened with the permission of the court. A locker in the name of Sheikh Hasina at Pubali Bank was opened on the same day.

A senior official of the central bank said that among the gold ornaments, there are many party symbol boats received as gifts. There are also wedding rings of Sheikh Hasina's brother Sheikh Kamal and daughter Putul. There are also bangles, bracelets, and earrings.

On September 17, the CIC seized two lockers, numbered 751 and 753, at the head office of Agrani Bank in Dilkusha, Dhaka.

At that time, Agrani Bank MD Anwarul Islam had said that Sheikh Hasina had rented two lockers. They are kept in the bank as per the rules. The NBR came to find out the location of the lockers. According to the law, to open a locker in the absence of the customer, court permission is required. The locker can be opened with the permission of the court and the presence of a magistrate. He also said that the bank would take necessary measures if it receives the court order.

Earlier, the CIC seized a locker belonging to Sheikh Hasina at the Motijheel branch (Sena Kalyan Bhaban) of Pubali Bank. The operation was conducted after receiving information that locker number 128 was in the name of Sheikh Hasina.

According to the rules, a locker has two keys. One is with the customer and the other is in the bank's locker security branch. Both keys are required to open the locker.

Sheikh Hasina's bank account in Agrani Bank has also been frozen since August last year on the orders of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU). The NBR team has also found out how much money is in that account.

The Awami League government fell on August 5, 2024, amid a mass uprising by students and the public, and Sheikh Hasina fled to India after leaving the post of Prime Minister. After that, the interim government came to power and started an investigation into the 'corruption' of Sheikh Hasina and her family.