Hasina Loyalists Sold UK Properties After Her Fall, Yunus Now Demands Probe: Report
Following the political change in Bangladesh, authorities have opened investigations into prominent business and political families linked to the former regime. The probes focus on allegations of embezzlement and money laundering, with claims that significant sums were invested in luxury UK properties. The National Crime Agency (NCA) in Britain has already acted against some high-profile individuals, according to a report by UK-based newspaper The Guardian, who first reported the development. London's property market is under increasing scrutiny from both UK and Bangladeshi investigators.
The UK's National Crime Agency froze £90 million in assets connected to the Rahman family and over £170 million tied to former minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, the newspaper said in its report. Chowdhury allegedly amassed more than 300 UK properties during his tenure. These freezes are part of a broader crackdown on questionable foreign investments in London, with the NCA working closely with international partners.
The report said that several individuals under investigation sought to liquidate, transfer or refinance their UK properties after the change in Bangladesh's political landscape. Transparency campaigners raised concerns that this could jeopardize recovery efforts. Bangladeshi authorities have requested their UK counterparts to tighten scrutiny and prevent the suspected movement of assets.
Guardian said. They stressed that such actions would support due legal processes and help ensure any unlawfully acquired funds are repatriated.
The powerful Sobhan family, behind the Bashundhara conglomerate, reportedly engaged in property transfers worth millions. One Knightsbridge townhouse changed hands twice in unclear transactions, prompting questions over financial dealings. Investigators in Dhaka are probing potential money laundering links, Bangladeshi news media outlets reported. The family has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to defend themselves.
Properties associated with Saifuzzaman Chowdhury's relatives and business contacts have seen multiple recent transactions, including sales and refinancing moves. Chowdhury's brother, Anisuzzaman, sold a £10 million Regent's Park property, while further dealings are under review. Allegations have also emerged about his links with a London-based developer facing scrutiny.
The NCA also froze assets tied to the Rahman family, which includes a £35 million apartment in Grosvenor Square, the report said. Members of the family are under investigation in Dhaka, and while the Rahmans reject allegations of misconduct, authorities are examining financial flows between Dhaka and London. The family has pledged to cooperate with any legal processes.
Transparency International has questioned the role of UK law firms and advisers who facilitated property deals for individuals under investigation.
Concerns include inadequate source-of-wealth checks and possible failures to report suspicious transactions. Calls have grown for stricter oversight to prevent illicit funds from vanishing through London's financial networks.
The unrest in Bangladesh leading up to the regime change was marked by months of student-led protests, sparked by economic grievances and governance concerns.
Clashes between protestors and security forces resulted in casualties, drawing global attention. While Sheikh Hasina's departure led to a new interim setup, political tensions remain high in Bangladesh. The anti-corruption drive is part of a broader reform agenda, but some critics see it as politically sensitive, motivated by revenge of the interim government and the rivals of the Hasina regime.
view comments
First Published:
July 22, 2025, 17:39 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
7 minutes ago
- India.com
India To Host AI Impact summit 2026, Leading Global Dialogue On Democratising AI
New Delhi: India is set to host the AI Impact Summit in February 2026, reinforcing its commitment to democratising Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the public good, the Parliament was informed on Wednesday. This landmark event aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of making technology accessible to all and leveraging AI to tackle real-world challenges across healthcare, education, agriculture, climate, and governance, Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnav told the Lok Sabha. The IndiaAI mission, which prioritises accountability, safety, equity, and the defence of privacy and human rights, is at the core of India's AI strategy. According to the statement, one of the main highlights is the creation of native Large and Small Language Models using Indian datasets. Currently, startups such as Sarvam AI, Soket AI, Gnani AI, and Gan AI are developing foundational models that are suited to the linguistic and cultural diversity of India. According to the statement, these models will be open-source, allowing other startups to create locally tailored applications. According to Minister Vaishnaw, to support scalable innovation, the government is also enhancing AI compute capacity by ensuring GPU infrastructure access and expanding the AIKosh Datasets Platform, which currently hosts over 1,000 datasets and 208 AI models, including Text-to-Speech tools in Indian languages. Additionally, the mission is funding 30 AI-based applications addressing public interest areas like health, climate, and governance. Through its IndiaAI Startups Global Programme, 10 startups are being mentored at Station F and HEC Paris, including PrivaSapien Technologies (privacy-enhancing AI) and Secure Blink (AI cybersecurity). Ensuring safe and trusted AI, India has established the IndiaAI Safety Institute to coordinate efforts on responsible AI. Projects under this initiative include AI bias mitigation, machine unlearning, and watermarking, as per the statement A strong legal framework that addresses AI-related risks like disinformation, deepfakes, and data misuse, such as the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (2023), IT Act (2000), and IT Rules (2021), supports the tech initiatives. A techno-legal approach underpins India's regulation, combining legislation with government-funded R&D on deepfake detection, privacy, and cybersecurity tools, according to the written reply. India's hosting of the 2026 summit further solidifies its position as a global leader in the development of AI that is inclusive, moral, and driven by innovation.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
7 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Your electric car runs on data but how safe is it from cyberattacks?
Hackers are increasingly zeroing in on Malaysia's fast-growing automotive sector, raising fresh concerns about cybersecurity gaps in the country's electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem. A new report by Singapore-based Ensign Infosecurity warns that modern EVs, filled with advanced software and internet-connected systems, are becoming high-value targets for cybercriminals seeking to intercept sensitive data through everyday interfaces like smartphone pairing and infotainment consoles, reported the South China Morning Post (SCMP). Since 2018, a significant amount of EV investment has been made in Malaysia (over 26 billion ringgit, [about $6.15 billion] from brands including Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche). As these vehicles originate from a manufacturing plant and continue to have complex digital services (the interconnected digital ecosystem that enhances the functionality of the vehicle) and as the data and the systems that support these digital services continue to become more complex, the possibility of having that data stolen, or that the systems supporting those vehicles being compromised is becoming increasingly problematic. The current environment in the Asia-Pacific region also adds to the dangers from hackers, as there are sophisticated networks of organised crime that are often working alongside these hackers or in complicity from a state actor perspective. In a major attack in December 2024, a leak at Volkswagen through its software unit, Cariad, compromised sensitive data of nearly 800,000 electric vehicle users, including their usage histories, email addresses, and customer ID numbers. The data was stored on Amazon's cloud servers but was left unsecured for over two years. This incident shocked the global auto industry. It highlighted how modern EVs—often praised for their technology—can also become easy targets for cybercriminals. And Volkswagen is not alone. Earlier, researchers discovered that hackers could remotely access certain features of the Nissan Leaf through a simple trick: entering its vehicle ID (VIN) into a mobile app's URL. In another case, a group of ethical hackers at a security conference in the US last year managed to break into EV chargers and disrupt their normal functioning. Why are EVs more exposed to cyber risks? Electric vehicles aren't just about batteries and motors but more like rolling computers. Most EVs are packed with sensors, GPS, internet connections, entertainment systems, and even smartphone pairing features. All of this generates a massive amount of personal data, from where you drive and when you charge your vehicle, to who your contacts are and what songs you play. This data is usually stored in two places: inside the vehicle's computer system and on cloud servers managed by the carmaker or charging network companies. If these storage points aren't well protected, hackers can find their way in. How are EV chargers also part of the problem? It's not just the car that's at risk. The charging infrastructure, public charging stations and wall units at home, can also be a backdoor for hackers. In some cases, researchers have shown that charging stations can be hijacked. For example, criminals can trick users with fake QR codes at charging points to steal money or personal data. According to a report by Israeli cybersecurity firm Upstream in February this year, hackers can also disrupt power flow and cause the charger to malfunction. They can even send remote commands to stop charging or tamper with the system. Since most EV chargers are connected to the internet, weak security settings can allow hackers to interfere from anywhere in the world. Have these hacks caused any real damage so far? Most of the known EV-related hacks have been carried out by security researchers, not criminals. These 'white hat hackers' find flaws in systems and report them to companies so that they can fix the issues before someone malicious takes advantage. However, the Volkswagen leak was real and it involved personal data being publicly exposed online. Some governments and companies are also worried about foreign-made EVs being used to collect sensitive information. In the UK, defence staff have reportedly been advised not to pair their phones with certain EVs due to privacy concerns. So while full-scale attacks haven't yet happened, the threats are no longer theoretical. How have carmakers responded? Most big carmakers are now taking cybersecurity more seriously. Just like your smartphone, EVs now receive frequent software patches to fix bugs and improve security. Companies like Tesla and others invite ethical hackers to test their systems, and reward them if they find a weakness. Additionally, carmakers are upgrading their apps to ensure users need proper verification before accessing vehicle controls. Charging companies are also adopting newer, more secure communication protocols to prevent remote tampering of EV chargers. What are governments doing about it? Some governments are beginning to set rules for vehicle cybersecurity. The United Nations has introduced a regulation that requires new cars to follow basic cybersecurity standards. This came into effect in parts of Europe, Japan, and South Korea in 2022. India is yet to implement strict rules specifically for EV cybersecurity, but awareness is growing. Is this a reason to avoid buying an EV? EVs are still much safer than many traditional cars in terms of driving and mechanical performance. But like any connected device including smartphones, laptops, or even smart TVs, they need cybersecurity awareness. As EVs become mainstream, protecting user data and securing charging infrastructure will be just as important as range and battery life.
The Hindu
7 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Kerala HC directs State government and SWAK to constitute Ashtamudi Wetland Management Unit
The Kerala High Court has directed the State government and the State Wetland Authority Kerala (SWAK) to constitute an Ashtamudi Wetland Management Unit for the conservation of the wetland within two months of a notification being issued for this. In addition, an integrated management plan for the wetland must be finalised within six months. The direction by a Bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji came when the court considered a public interest litigation (PIL)recently against rampant waste dumping and encroachments in the Ashtamudi wetland, which in turn was causing water pollution and the destruction of mangrove forests. The second biggest wetland in Kerala, the Ashtamudi lake was designated a Ramsar site in 2002. The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, considering their role in biodiversity, flood control, water purification, and livelihood support. In the PIL, Boris Paul, lawyer, and Kollam-based Help Foundation had sought a court directive to remove the encroachers and to form an independent monitoring committee to continuously monitor the lake's conservation measures. A sanitation survey done by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) around the lake in 2020-2022 revealed serious health risks due to poor waste management. Open defecation around Ashtamudi was contributing to the spread of waterborne diseases, while 18% of households discharged toilet waste directly into the waterbody. Heavy pollution A report of the Committee on Environment of the Kerala Legislative Assembly submitted on 17, March, 2023 stated that the Ashtamudi wetland faced heavy pollution, encroachments, and siltation. Its area reduced from 61.40 sq. kms. to 34 sq. kms, while its depth reduced to less than half a metre in many areas. Mangroves and crucial fish-breeding grounds have almost disappeared and fishers dependent on this wetland were on the verge of losing their livelihoods. Human waste, chemicals and untreated hospital and commercial waste entered the wetland through the Kollam canal. Tourism-related waste and plastic accumulation in the Kollam and Neendakara backwaters, sand mining, unregulated housing and rampant pesticide use were too were issues. In 2023, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had imposed a penalty of ₹10 crore on the State government for its failure to protect the Ashtamudi lake and other wetlands. Since no concrete measures were taken, the petitioners filed the PIL. Two requirements The court said cited two requirements as essential for the conservation of the Ashtamudi wetland – a dedicated authority consisting of various stakeholders and experts and a site-specific, scientific, and comprehensive management plan. Both are not in place for the wetland so far. The Ramsar Convention emphasises the need to have a dedicated authority for each of the wetlands of international importance and a site-specific management plan for it. Disposing off the PIL, the court also directed that a standard operating procedure must be formulated by the Ashtamudi Wetland Management Unit to govern its functioning while specifying modalities like the venue, frequency of its meetings and the mechanism for co-ordination among stakeholders. In addition, the unit must have its own website or a dedicated web page hosted on the official website of SWAK with a feedback mechanism for the public. SWAK must develop a digital feedback mechanism (web/social media) for the general public to upload/share audio-visual materials.
