The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh sent three separate notices to British MP Tulip Siddiq over a two-month span, seeking her statement regarding alleged corruption linked to a Purbachal plot and the Rooppur nuclear power project. However, all three notices were returned undelivered.
According to a senior ACC official speaking to bdnews24.com, the commission used Tulip’s listed permanent and current Dhaka addresses—one on Road No. 5 in Dhanmondi and the other on Road No. 71 in Gulshan—based on her NID and tax records.
The notices, issued between Feb 25 and Apr 6, were part of ongoing inquiries into allegations of abuse of power and financial irregularities.
Tulip Siddiq, niece of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and currently a Labour MP in the UK, has denied all allegations. She and her legal team have publicly claimed that no communication was made by the ACC.
She has called the accusations a “smear campaign” and rejected all charges against her.
Responding to the issue of the returned notices, ACC Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen told bdnews24.com: “If she is innocent, why did she resign? Why did she instruct her lawyers to contact us?” He confirmed the commission had reached out via email to her lawyer, asking him to participate in the legal process in Bangladesh.
Momen added, “The lawyer has to justify his fees. There seems to be forgery or fabrication involved. But our case is built on documents and evidence. All allegations against Tulip Siddiq are provable in court – whether in Bangladesh or the UK.”
He also expressed disappointment over continued support from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Labour Party: “I am shocked and ashamed that the UK Prime Minister and his party back an MP facing serious corruption charges without any condemnation.”
“When Ms Siddiq stepped down as Minister for Anti-Corruption, the prime minister praised her ‘uncompromising moral standards’. That only raises concerns about the PM’s judgment,” Momen said.
He mentioned further allegations, including one involving a flat allegedly accepted as a bribe and later transferred in Tulip’s name via fraudulent use of Eastern Housing. “If it was a personal gift, it wouldn’t fall under our jurisdiction. But it was a corporate transfer, clearly showing abuse of influence,” he said.
He added that there were also fraud and breach of promise allegations, with Tulip reportedly failing to pay while still gaining ownership of the property. The charges fall under Section 409 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
FIRST NOTICE: PURBACHAL PLOT
The ACC’s first notice, issued on Feb 25, alleged that Tulip conspired with top RAJUK officials to illegally obtain six plots totaling 60 katha in the diplomatic zone of Purbachal’s Sector 27.
The letter stated that it was “absolutely necessary” for Tulip to appear for questioning on Mar 2 and warned that non-compliance would be interpreted as having “no comment”.
A second notice, sent on Mar 4, requested her appearance on Mar 6. The investigating officer, Assistant Director SM Rashedul Hasan, again received no response.
Earlier, in January, the ACC had filed six cases against Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and four family members regarding similar allegations. The probe was formally announced on Dec 27.
SECOND NOTICE: ROOPPUR NUCLEAR PROJECT
The third notice, issued on Apr 6, concerned an inquiry into the alleged embezzlement of Tk 590 billion during construction of the Russian-funded Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. Tulip was asked to appear on Apr 10 but did not respond. No formal case has been filed yet in this matter.
Amid student-led mass protests, Hasina fled to India on Aug 5, 2024. Three days later, a caretaker government led by Muhammad Yunus took over, triggering a wave of legal actions against the Sheikh family.
On Apr 13, a Dhaka court issued arrest warrants for 53 individuals, including Tulip, in the Purbachal case. Other names on the list include Hasina, Rehana, Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, and Azmina Siddique Ruponti.
In response, Tulip told reporters outside her London residence: “This is a politically motivated smear campaign,” reiterating that she had not been contacted by any Bangladeshi authority. “I can’t dignify this politically motivated smear campaign with any comment,” she added, calling it an attempt to “harass” her.
“There is no evidence I’ve done anything wrong,” she said.
Tulip’s lawyer, Paul Thwaites, issued a statement the night of the arrest warrant, calling the allegations “completely false and baseless”.
ADDITIONAL CASE: FLAT ALLEGATION
Three days later, on Apr 15, the ACC filed another case against Tulip. She was accused of using her influence to orchestrate the illegal transfer of a Gulshan property and of accepting a flat as a bribe.
To counter claims of harassment, ACC Chairman Momen held a press conference on Apr 6, stating that Tulip’s name was included in the Purbachal case based on solid documentation.
“There is sufficient evidence against the accused. They must appear in court and answer the charges,” he said.
Following a mass uprising on Aug 5, 2024, the Awami League government was toppled—six months before Tulip resigned as City Minister in the UK.
She resigned in January following controversy over reports that she had received a £700,000 London flat as a “gift” from a developer closely tied to Hasina’s party.
While no breach of ministerial code was found, the British government’s ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, stated that it was “regrettable” Tulip had not been more “alert to the reputational risks” of her family ties.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer had praised her “difficult decision” and reassured her that “the door remains open”.
