Major General (retired) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, the former security affairs adviser to the ousted authoritarian ruler Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, stands at the center of numerous allegations, marking a complex legacy shadowed by accusations of power misuse and personal gain. From land grabbing to orchestrating the unlawful detention of opposition figures, Siddique’s actions paint a controversial picture of one of Bangladesh’s most polarizing figures. As we examine the numerous allegations against him, the implications for governance, transparency, and the influence of family ties in Bangladeshi politics come to the fore.

One of the most highlighted allegations against Siddique involves an extremely valuable prime piece of land in the heart of Dhaka’s Hatirjheel area. This valuable property, allegedly acquired through Prochachaya Limited (Incorporation certificate number C-75659/09, dated March 28, 2009), a company linked to Siddique’s wife Shaheen Siddiqui – was later sold to Nasa Group, a controversial business conglomerate, for over five billion Bangladeshi takas.

The Registration Number and Memorandum and Articles of Association of Prochhaya Limited were issued through the Certificate of Incorporation by the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on 25 March 2009 through its Issue Number 27052-58. The Registration Number of Prochhaya Limited is C-75659/09. Trade License of Prochhaya Limited was issued by Dhaka City Corporation, Dhaka on 09 April 2009 through its Issue Number 1243. The Trade License Number of the company is 0434843.

Following illegal occupation of the land at Hatirjheel area, at the direct instructions of Major General (retired) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Ansar camp was set at the property while top officials of country’s intelligence agencies played role in protecting this illegal occupation.

Sources claim that a significant portion of this sum was smuggled out of the country and invested in real estates in London, Dubai and other cities. If true, the involvement of such high-profile figures in an alleged illegal land grab and money laundering points to a concerning abuse of power. The sale, alleged illegal export of funds, and subsequent foreign investments embody a stark departure from the ethical responsibilities of public office bearers. Not only that this corruption was first reported by prominent journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury in Blitz, who was later arrested on November 8, 2012 through a false case filed by Prochchaya Limited and detained illegally for more than 6 years and kept 5 years in a condemned cell by violating the Jail Codes. This also was a serious violation of human rights.

In July 2018, Shoaib Choudhury was released from prison under condition that he must surrender his passport to the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and “abide by instructions from the agency” and “help Awami League government with media campaign”. Until date, Choudhury’s passport remains with DGFI, thus restricting him from travelling abroad.

Precious land in Dhaka’s Hatirjheel area occupied by Prochhaya Limited, a company owned by Shaheen Siddiqui, wife of Tarique Ahmed Siddique – Photo BLiTZ

Another serious accusation ties Tarique Ahmed Siddique to the abduction and mistreatment of Col. (retired) Md Tauhidul Islam Chowdhury, a key security figure associated with the BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia. Chowdhury was reportedly abducted from his residence by plainclothes officers in late 2018, held incommunicado for two days, and jailed under what has been described as “fake cases”. Despite Chowdhury’s eventual release, no police action was taken to investigate his detention, leading to a lawsuit against Siddique and several high-ranking security officials. This incident, if proven, suggests a troubling pattern of using the state apparatus to silence political opposition.

Beyond the direct allegations of financial misconduct, Siddique’s influence reportedly extended to surveillance and data breaches. Through the controversial National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC), which received support from the blacklisted technology firm Tiger IT, Tarique Siddique allegedly facilitated mass surveillance on citizens.

Tiger IT, banned from World Bank projects due to corruption charges, continued to operate within Bangladesh under patronage of Sheikh Hasina’s Security Advisor. This oversight allegedly allowed Tiger IT to retain control over significant projects, like those for the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), even blocking open tender processes for new vendors. The use of surveillance tools against civilians and opponents exemplifies a level of governmental overreach detrimental to democratic principles.

Beyond domestic influence, reports suggest Siddique and his wife were involved in extensive money laundering, channeling millions into countries like Canada and the United States. Their investment connections reportedly include Tusuka Group, a local industrial giant, where Siddique’s influence supposedly ensured the appointment of company representatives to prominent positions within banking and politics. Tusuka Group’s directors, for instance, received appointments to the board of a private bank and a parliamentary seat, positions allegedly facilitated by Siddique. These revelations emphasize the extent of Siddique’s alleged network of influence and financial gain, which many argue were only made possible by his close ties to Hasina’s government.

Tarique Ahmed Siddique’s extended family’s involvement in questionable acquisitions of power assets highlights another controversial facet of his network. A power plant established by the Malaysian company Westmont Group faced allegations of forced takeover by Shafique Ahmed Siddique, the husband of Hasina’s sister Sheikh Rehana and Siddique’s brother. Westmont’s managing director complained to Hasina herself, claiming that Shafique had taken control of the plant through forged documents, halting production in the process.

According to information, Malaysian investor and owner of Westmont Power [Bangladesh] limited, Dato Sri Joseph Chong submitted a written complaint on August 17, 2011 to Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and sent copy of this letter to all major news agencies and newspapers in the world, as well as Country Representative, World Bank; Country Representative, UNDP; Country Representative, Asian Development Bank and all foreign missions in Bangladesh. Surprisingly, that letter simply disappeared from the PM’s office at the direct intervention of Tarique Siddique.

Camp of law enforcement agency to guard a precious land in Dhaka’s Hatirjheel area occupied by Prochhaya Limited, a company owned by Shaheen Siddiqui, wife of Tarique Ahmed Siddique – Photo BLiTZ

In the letter titled ‘Forced occupation of Westmont Power [Bangladesh] limited’, Dato Sri Joseph Chong wrote:

Kindly note, that some people, who are close relatives of your kind self, under the direct patronization of Prof. Shafique Ahmed Siddique [House #1 , Road#127, Gulshan 1, Dhaka] the husband of Sheikh Rehana and brother of the Defence Advisor to Your Kindself, have forcefully taken over our company, Westmont Power [Bangladesh] Limited [WPBL]; including our office in Dhaka and the barge mounted power plant at Baghabari in phases by fabricating and falsifying documents. Their botched and forced takeover has resulted in the complete shutdown of the power plant at Baghabari.

Prof. Shafique Ahmed Siddique, who believes in the LAW OF THE JUNGLE, is being assisted in this dirty act, by Mr. Hasan Mahmood Raja of United Group and Mr. Md. Haroon Ar-Rashid. All ownership documents they are showing to Ministry, BPDB, courts etc are false and fabricated.

Hon. Prime Minister, in the present circumstances only your direct intervention can save the situation and bring a lawful and legal conclusion to the problem. We request your kind instruction to Bangladesh Power Development Board [BPDB] to stop all dealings with Mr. Hasan Mahmood Raja and Mr. Md. Haroon Ar-Rashid AND all payments to WPBL with immediate effect; Failing which Your Honorable kind self and Your Government will be responsible for all consequences thereof.

Despite the totally false and fabricated nature of their claims – but as Prof Shafiq Ahmed Siddique is the husband of your only sister, Sheikh Rehana and brother of your Defence Advisor, therefore I think it will be fair to order an international arbitration [or a court action] in London, United Kingdom to verify their claims of ownership if any. Kindly also note that Your Government and BPDB is bound by international laws because of the sovereign guarantees furnished by Government of Bangladesh to WPBL, therefore it is pertinent that BPDB and your Government should stop dealing with the disputants until the matter is resolved.

This incident underscores how familial connections in Bangladeshi politics can seemingly facilitate the unlawful acquisition of assets and influence, raising questions about the intersection of public office and private interests.

In September 2010, Tarique Siddique’s wife and her associates established a readymade garment factory in Dhaka, under the name and title of Sujan Apparels Limited. Trade License of Sujan Apparels Limited was issued by Dhaka City Corporation, Dhaka on 20 September 2010 through its Issue Number 87. The Trade License Number of Sujan Apparels Limited is 0325500. The Tax Identification Number [TIN] of Sujan Apparels Limited is 036-201-7889/CO-5, which was issued by Tax Zone-2, Dhaka and Companies Circle-5 on 22 September 2010. Large sum of money was invested in this business venture.

Tarique Ahmed Siddique and his wife Shaheen Siddiqui are also accused of making fortunes through commission-based deals involving various government contracts. These deals, allegedly backed by Hasina’s government, allowed the couple to secure substantial kickbacks and direct business approvals in sectors spanning aviation, infrastructure, and public services. For example, Siddique reportedly played a role in fast-tracking the approval of private airlines and obtaining loans for favored companies, underscoring his deep entrenchment in both governmental and corporate realms. This pattern of awarding contracts to personal allies reinforces concerns about systemic corruption within the government.

The allegations against Tarique Ahmed Siddique reflect more than mere instances of corruption; they reveal a disturbing pattern of power misuse, nepotism, and financial exploitation. From land grabs to surveillance abuse, his actions, if substantiated, portray a kleptocratic approach to governance—wherein power is wielded not for public benefit, but for personal and family gain.

The larger issue this narrative poses to Bangladeshi society lies in the influence of familial networks within governance. With the close relationship between Siddique and Hasina, and the alleged protection his family received, it underscores how political loyalty can sometimes override accountability. If figures like Siddique can operate unchecked, with allegations of everything from unlawful detention to billion-dollar money laundering schemes, the implications for the rule of law in Bangladesh are profound.

The shifting of assets abroad, extensive surveillance on citizens, and aggressive suppression of political opposition all suggest that kleptocracy, rather than democracy, may have been the underlying ideology. With Siddique and his family under scrutiny, Bangladesh’s commitment to transparency and fair governance stands at a crucial crossroads. it’s time to bring the kleptocrats under scrutiny and flourish the democracy and rule of law in Bangladesh.

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