The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has failed to locate Suchona Foundation, a non-profit operated by Saima Wazed Putul, at its official address in Dhanmondi in the capital.
On Wednesday noon, ACC Assistant Director Md Nowshad led a raid to the non-profit founded by ousted premier Sheikh Hasina’s daughter, but could not find any trace of it. ACC Assistant Director Swapan Kumar Roy confirmed the development.
The revelation could seriously threaten Saima Wazed Putul’s current position as WHO South Asia Regional Director.
In 2014, Putul founded Suchona Foundation for the welfare and treatment of mental patients, and autistic people. She is currently the chairman of the organisation’s board of trustees. According to the Department of Social Services and the National Board of Revenue, the foundation is located at Dhanmondi-27 no road.
Allegations have been raised that Putul used the foundation illegally to collect financial benefits from different social and business outlets. During the rule of her mother Sheikh Hasina, Putul also exerted undue pressure on NBR officials to provide tax exemptions for the foundation.
On 24 November last year, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) froze the foundation’s account.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
