Former fascist Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Law Adviser to the interim government Asif Nazrul allegedly intervened to secure the acquittal of Transcom Group Managing Director Simeen Rahman in all cases, including one related to the killing of her brother. A major controversy has erupted after all accused, including Simeen, were discharged from a case filed by her younger sister, Shahzreh Huq, over allegations of illegally taking control of company shares through stamp forgery, despite a charge sheet having already been submitted.
Allegations have emerged that the course of the case was altered at the behest of Asif Nazrul. It is also alleged that he intervened in the case in exchange for unethical benefits. Editors Matiur Rahman and Mahfuz Anam of Transcom Group-owned newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star are said to have acted as key intermediaries in these dealings.
Plaintiff Shazreh Huq has alleged that the case was dismissed due to interference by influential third parties, with the complainant’s side not even being allowed to present arguments during the hearing. The matter has now reached the High Court.
Following the death of Latifur Rahman, a power struggle within the family became public in 2024, while the Awami League government was still in office, after Transcom Group director Shazreh Huq filed cases against her elder sister Simeen Rahman, accusing her of “murder, embezzlement, property grabbing and illegal transfer of shares”. Allegations suggest that Simeen Rahman exerted various forms of influence to obstruct the investigation and trial proceedings in these cases. Towards the end of the ousted Awami League government’s tenure, Simeen allegedly used Advocate Towfika Karim, a close associate of former Law Minister Anisul Huq, to obtain favourable court orders. Operating behind the scenes, Towfika Karim reportedly used two lawyers from her chamber, Shaheen and Baharul, to secure orders in their favour at every stage of the judicial process. Following the mass uprising of 2024, Simeen allegedly turned to influential interim government adviser Asif Nazrul, who is accused of intervening in her cases in exchange for a large sum of money.
According to case documents, Simeen allegedly forged the signatures of her siblings to transfer the majority shares of Transcom Group companies into her own name. She is also accused of creating a fake family deed of settlement. In addition, Simeen Rahman allegedly attempted to transfer 35 kathas of land — from a total of 2 bighas and 2 kathas owned by Latifur Rahman in the upscale Gulshan area of the capital — into her own name using a forged gift deed. The deed submitted by Simeen to the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) allegedly also contained forged signatures of her father and younger sister Shazreh Huq. The process was later halted after Shazreh became aware of the matter and lodged a complaint.
Lawyers involved in the matter said the alleged forgery, fraud and embezzlement began after the death of Transcom founder chairman Latifur Rahman on 1 July 2020. By early 2023, Latifur Rahman’s son Arshad Waliur Rahman and younger daughter Shazreh Huq reportedly became fully aware of the alleged irregularities, though more evidence of forgery and fraud has gradually emerged since then. Shazreh Huq subsequently filed the case, which was investigated by the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI). The PBI investigation officer, Shazedur Rahman, submitted a charge sheet against six individuals. According to the charge sheet, a board meeting regarding share transfers was held in Dhaka in 2020, where signatures of Shazreh Huq and her brother Arshad Waliur Rahman were shown despite neither being present. The meeting also allegedly included a forged approval signature of Latifur Rahman. However, the court discharged all accused, including Simeen Rahman, from the case.
Speaking about the matter, Shazreh Huq said, “The court dismissed the case without even hearing our application. The case was dismissed due to interference by a third party. I am astonished by this.” She added, “The way they are intervening and securing orders in their favour should not happen.” She further said that the investigating officer had submitted the charge sheet based on all available evidence, but all accused were discharged without hearing their side. “We have filed an appeal with the higher court over the matter,” she added.
Attempts were made to contact the individuals concerned for comment regarding the allegations, but they could not be reached by phone.
ACC probing allegation of Tk10 billion bribe to Hasina: The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is investigating allegations that Transcom Group Chief Executive Officer Simeen Rahman paid Tk10 billion in bribes to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In November last year, an ACC deputy director was assigned as the inquiry officer, after which the main investigation formally began.
The ACC has stated that the alleged Tk10 billion bribe was paid to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to suppress multiple cases against the Transcom Group CEO involving allegations of “murder, share forgery and fraud”. A senior ACC official said the investigation is examining the involvement of both institutions and individuals in the allegations.
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
