Massive Gold Haul Discovered in Former Prime Minister's Lockers
In a significant development, anti-corruption authorities in Bangladesh have made a stunning discovery, seizing approximately 10 kilograms of gold valued at $1.3 million from bank lockers that belong to the country's ousted prime minister, Sheikh Hasina. Officials familiar with the matter confirmed this revelation on Wednesday, marking a dramatic turn in the ongoing investigations against the former leader.
Investigation Uncovers Hidden Wealth
The breakthrough came after officials from the Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) of the national board of revenue executed a court order to open lockers that had been seized back in September. "Following a court order, we opened the lockers and found about 9.7 kilograms of gold belonging to the former prime minister," disclosed a CIC official, who requested to remain anonymous. The substantial haul consisted of various gold items including gold coins, bars, and elaborate jewellery pieces.
Legal Violations and Ongoing Probes
Investigators have revealed a critical legal breach at the heart of this discovery. They assert that Sheikh Hasina failed to deposit some of the gifts she received during her tenure into the state treasury, known as "Toshakhana," as explicitly required by Bangladeshi law. Simultaneously, the national board of revenue has launched a comprehensive investigation into alleged tax evasion, meticulously examining whether the former prime minister properly declared the recovered gold in her official tax filings.
In a separate but notable development for regional connectivity, Bangladesh's top diplomat announced on Wednesday that direct flights between Pakistan and Bangladesh will resume from next month. This restoration ends a period of several years without direct air connectivity between the two nations, representing a significant step toward strengthening bilateral relations and travel convenience.
