A Bangladeshi court requested an Interpol warrant on Sunday for the arrest of Saima Wazed Putul, daughter of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and WHO regional director for South-East Asia, on corruption charges.
Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain issued the order, directing authorities to initiate extradition proceedings against Putul.
The decision follows a petition by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in connection with a case involving alleged corruption in plot allocations at the upscale Purbachal New Town project area in the capital.
On April 10, the court issued arrest warrants against Hasina, Putul, and 18 others, after accepting the charge sheet filed by the ACC. Six corruption cases have been filed against Hasina and her family, accusing them of misusing power and engaging in irregularities to obtain prime real estate plots.
Other family members named as fugitives include Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, her sister Sheikh Rehana, her niece and British MP Tulip Siddiq, Azmina Siddique Ruponti, and her nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq.
The ACC is also investigating allegations that Putul used her mother’s influence and false academic credentials to secure her high-ranking post at the World Health Organization.
Separately, Bangladesh police confirmed that Interpol has issued a red notice against Benozir Ahmed, a former police chief and close ally of Hasina, in connection with corruption charges. Ahmed is currently absconding with his family.
Authorities said requests have been submitted to Interpol for red notices against 12 individuals, including Hasina and Ahmed.
Hasina has been living in exile in India since her ouster during a mass uprising on Aug. 5. Bangladesh has formally requested India to deport her, but New Delhi has not yet officially responded.
The Anti-Corruption Commission has sent two letters to the Police headquarters, requesting the police to take measures to secure an Interpol red notice for the arrest of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy in connection with two corruption cases.
The commission in January filed the cases with its integrated district office in Dhaka-1 over alleged corruption in allotting Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha’s land plots in the capital’s Purbachal New Town project area.
ACC deputy director for public relations Aktarul Islam revealed the information at a press briefing at the commission’s headquarters in Dhaka on Thursday.
ACC assistant director Afnan Jannat Keya, also investigating officer of a case filed against Hasina, sent a letter to the inspector general of police Baharul Alam, seeking steps for issuing a red notice against the deposed prime minister through Interpol.
The letter stated that ‘During the investigation, it was found that the accused, Sheikh Hasina, is currently staying abroad. In the interest of justice, the honorable court has issued an arrest warrant to locate her and bring her back to face the law.’
‘In this situation, the honorable court’s order, arrest warrant, copy of the first information report, copy of the charge sheet, and the completed red notice form are attached herewith for necessary actions,’ said the letter.
ACC assistant director SM Rashedul Hasan, also investigation officer, filed a similar letter to the police chief regarding Sajeeb Wazed Joy.
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