International Authority for Criminal Justice Issues (Interpol) red notice request for former minister Saifuzzaman and his wife Rukhmila

On this specified date, the 18th of September, a petition was presented before Judge Md Abdur Rahman of the Chattogram Metropolitan Senior Special Court.

, and ASMedia

2025 September 23 . 7:22 AM

2 min read

International Authorities Pursue Interpol Warrant for Arrest of Former Minister Saifuzzaman and His... — International Authorities Pursue Interpol Warrant for Arrest of Former Minister Saifuzzaman and His Spouse Rukhmila

International Authority for Criminal Justice Issues (Interpol) red notice request for former minister Saifuzzaman and his wife Rukhmila

In a significant development, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has initiated a court proceeding on September 18, 2023, to issue an Interpol Red Notice against former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed and his wife Rukhmila Zaman.

The move comes as part of a corruption case filed on July 24, 2021, by ACC Deputy Director Mashiur Rahman, accusing Saifuzzaman, his wife, and 29 others of laundering Tk25 crore borrowed from United Commercial Bank Limited (UCBL).

The investigation has revealed that investigators have traced 582 flats and houses abroad in the names of Saifuzzaman and his wife, allegedly acquired with embezzled funds. The police's National Central Bureau (NCB) forwards such requests to Interpol following a court order or recommendation from investigators.

The new case accuses the accused of taking Tk52 crore in bribes. The accused, in collusion with each other, allegedly abused their power and committed fraud. The other accused in the new case include several officials of UCB, Aramit PLC, and other business associates connected to Saifuzzaman.

Two of Saifuzzaman's close aides, Md Abdul Aziz and Utpal Pal, were remanded for five days by a Chattogram court. Md Abdul Aziz is the AGM of Aramit PLC and proprietor of Imperial Trading, while Utpal Pal is also an AGM of Aramit PLC. The accused intimidated Abdul Kadir Molla, managing director of Thermex Group, into paying the bribes.

The ACC filed another case against Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed and 10 others on charges of bribery, fraud, abuse of power, and money laundering.

Allegations of building vast overseas wealth surfaced ahead of the 2024 general election. Saifuzzaman, a senior Awami League leader, served as state minister for land from 2014-2018 and as land minister from 2019-2023. However, he reportedly left for London with his wife and family on 5 August 2024, shortly before the fall of the Awami League government amid a student-led uprising.

The petition aims to prevent the couple from selling or transferring hundreds of overseas properties allegedly purchased with laundered money. The court has fixed 21 September for hearing the petition. The ACC alleges that the two men were central operatives in a network that laundered thousands of crores of taka abroad. The money was then transferred, laundered, and siphoned abroad.

This ongoing investigation underscores the commitment of the Anti-Corruption Commission to upholding the principles of transparency and accountability in Bangladesh's political and financial spheres. The court's decision on the petition will be closely watched as it could set a precedent in the fight against corruption in the country.