Al Jazeera's search for former Lands Minister's mountain of wealth in the UK
September 18, 20242 Mins Read
Jumbangla Desk: Al Jazeera, a Qatar-based media, has found the assets of former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury in the United Kingdom. An investigation has revealed how this former minister of Awami League has built an empire abroad despite receiving a small government salary.

According to this video report published on Wednesday (September 18), Saifuzzaman Chowdhury has bought at least 360 luxury houses in the UK at a cost of 250 million dollars. Which is equal to about 3 thousand crore rupees in Bangladesh money. Apart from Britain, he has expanded his real estate business to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, New York, Singapore and Malaysia.

Al Jazeera says that Saifuzzaman had a good relationship with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. As seen in the video report, he admitted this himself saying, "My father was very close to Sheikh Hasina. I am also close to him... Sheikh Hasina is my boss... He knows I have business in the UK.”

According to the report, around 2017, Saifuzzaman extended the purchase of Chowdhury's property. It increased further after becoming a minister in 2019.

Last year members of Al Jazeera's investigative team went to their journalist Saifuzzaman's $14 million home under the guise of an investor. which includes a cinema hall, gym, private elevator and a secure underground parking area to house the new Rolls-Royals cars. Saifuzzaman bragged to 'undercover' reporters at the time that he spent thousands of dollars on handmade crocodile leather shoes and Italian suits from London's most expensive shops.

Saifuzzaman claimed to Al Jazeera that he bought the assets through his legitimate businesses in the UK, US and UAE. However, the interim government has now launched an investigation against him accusing him of money laundering. His bank account has already been seized and UCBL, owned by his family, has taken control of the bank.