A writ petition was filed with the High Court on Tuesday, requesting a directive for the Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate allegations of embezzling Tk 60,000 crore from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project through Malaysian banks by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The petition also called for an investigation into the involvement of Sheikh Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and her niece, Tulip Siddiq, in the alleged misappropriation.

The writ was filed by Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM) Chairman Bobby Hajjaj, who referenced reports published by various newspapers. Confirming the filing to reporters, the petitioner’s lawyer, Sahedul Azam, mentioned that the matter would be brought before the High Court division bench of Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Muhammad Mahbub Ul Islam for a hearing.

The writ names 14 respondents, including the secretaries of the ministries of power, energy, and mineral resources; science and technology; home affairs; the ACC chairman; Sheikh Hasina; Sajeeb Wazed Joy; Tulip Siddiq; and Tarique Ahmed Siddique.

On August 19, various newspapers and television channels published and aired reports alleging that Tk 60,000 crore had been embezzled from the Rooppur project by Sheikh Hasina and her family members. The reports claimed that the Russian state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom, which is implementing the Rooppur project, facilitated the embezzlement through Malaysian banks, with Sajeeb Wazed Joy and Tulip Siddiq allegedly mediating the deal between the involved parties.

Source: BSS