Putul’s Shuchona Foundation office not found at registered address: ACC
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) today conducted a raid at the Shuchona Foundation's registered office address in the capital's Dhanmondi but did not find any office at the location.
Shuchona Foundation, a non-profit and voluntary organisation, was founded by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's daughter Saima Wazed Putul.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. A four-member team of the ACC also raided the National Board of Revenue (NBR) office to collect documents related to tax exemptions and financial irregularities of Shuchona Foundation, said ACC Deputy Director Akhtarul Islam.
While briefing reporters, the official informed that ACC Assistant Director Naushad Ali led the enforcement team.
The official further said that the address was provided by the Dhaka District Social Services Office.
According to a press release of the ACC, the anti-graft body initiated the operation following allegations of misappropriation of state funds through irregularities and corruption by Shuchona Foundation's president and several others.
The ACC team obtained relevant Statutory Regulatory Orders (SROs) from the NBR to investigate the tax exemptions granted to Shuchona Foundation. Upon review, the ACC team found preliminary evidence that since 2016, the foundation had been exempted from paying income tax on all its earnings, including interest from permanent and savings bank deposits, consultancy fees, and research fees.
The team will submit a detailed report to the ACC soon, the release said.
Putul is currently the regional director for the World Health Organization's (WHO) South-East Asia region. Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, several cases were filed against Putul, including one by the ACC for allegedly "concealing information and abusing power" to acquire a plot in Purbachal.
Shuchona Foundation, was established in 2014 to work with individuals facing mental disabilities, neurological disorders, autism, and mental health issues. Saima Wazed was founder and chairperson of its board of trustees.
The release said that Saima Wazed allegedly misused her influence to secure financial benefits for Shuchona Foundation, receiving gifts and funds from various social and business institutions. She exerted undue influence over the NBR to secure tax exemptions for the foundation.
On November 24 last year, Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) directed various banks and financial institutions to freeze the foundation's bank accounts.
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