Staff Correspondent
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has claimed to have traced seven luxury cars in the United States under the name of Sajib Wazed Joy, son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The agency further alleged that Joy also purchased two houses in the US with laundered money, costing nearly Tk 54 crore.
According to the ACC, these findings emerged during the investigation of a case filed against Joy on allegations of illegally amassing wealth worth around Tk 60 crore. The commission alleges that while serving as the ICT Adviser to Sheikh Hasina, Joy abused his position, laundered money through hundi and other illicit channels, and later bought luxury vehicles and real estate in the US.
The vehicles identified by the ACC include:
2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
2016 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
2015 Lexus GX 460
2016 Land Rover
2018 McLaren 720S
2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT
Two Jeep Grand Cherokees (2003 and 2001 models)
Two Jeep Grand Cherokees (2003 and 2001 models)
Among these, the Lexus GX 460 is registered under the name of Joy’s former wife, Christina Overmeyer. The combined estimated value of the cars is around USD 442,924.
The ACC also claimed that Joy purchased two houses in the US with laundered funds, spending about Tk 54.04 crore.
ACC Director General Md. Akhtar Hossain said:
“The investigation against Sajib Wazed Joy is ongoing. If necessary, the investigating officer may seize any of the accused’s assets by applying to the court, and such assets will be presented as evidence during trial.”
On August 14, the ACC filed a case against Joy on charges of acquiring illegal wealth and money laundering. The case accuses him of obtaining assets worth more than Tk 60 crore through corruption, suspicious transactions, and bribery between 2000 and June 30, 2024.
On August 5, amid a mass uprising, Sheikh Hasina fled to India, marking the end of the Awami League’s 15-year rule. Since then, the ACC has intensified investigations into corruption allegations against Hasina and her family.
So far, multiple cases have been filed against Sheikh Hasina, her son Joy, her daughter Saima Wazed Putul, and other family members. In six cases related to irregularities in the Purbachal New Town project, a total of 23 individuals, including Hasina and her relatives, have been charged.
The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has already frozen over Tk 635 crore held in 124 bank accounts belonging to Sheikh Hasina and her family members.