Tulip Siddiq, niece of Sheikh Hasina, faces allegations of embezzlement related to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. Siddiq labels these claims as targeted and baseless, seeking an immediate end to damaging allegations. Her legal team denies any wrongdoing, emphasizing her lack of involvement in the deal, while the ACC maintains their investigation is justified.
Former Labour minister Tulip Siddiq, niece of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has faced allegations of financial irregularities related to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. She labels these claims as a “targeted and baseless” campaign, demanding an immediate stop to the damaging accusations against her. Siddiq’s legal team asserts she played no role in the project despite her presence at a 2013 signing ceremony with Putin and Hasina.
The letter to Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) from Siddiq’s lawyers insists that her attendance at state events with heads of state is not unusual. Furthermore, they refute claims linking a £700,000 flat in London—gifted to Siddiq in 2004—to embezzlement, arguing it was acquired long before the nuclear deal.
Tulip Siddiq, whose mother received political asylum in the UK, resigned from her Treasury role in January where she addressed corruption in UK finance. Meanwhile, ACC Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen maintains that allegations are supported by documentary evidence and invites Siddiq to defend herself.
The controversy originated from comments made by Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser to a journalist, suggesting Siddiq’s potential involvement in embezzlement, hinting at her need for questioning in Bangladesh. Siddiq’s representatives categorically deny these allegations, asserting that there is no solid evidence and characterizing the remarks as an attempt to damage her reputation.
The claims are rooted in a media note from the ACC, which alleged $5 billion in irregularities associated with the Rooppur project, insinuating Siddiq colluded with top officials, including Hasina and her son, through offshore accounts. In light of this, Siddiq maintains that she has no wealth in Bangladesh and that the allegations are false.
The ongoing allegations against Tulip Siddiq regarding financial irregularities tied to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant have been categorized as baseless by her legal team. Despite claims from the ACC about documented evidence, Siddiq refutes any involvement, describing the situation as a smear campaign against her. Moreover, her past financial dealings have been clarified as unrelated to current allegations, underscoring her call for an end to what she views as damaging accusations.
Original Source: www.newindianexpress.com
