In the tumultuous landscape of Bangladesh’s banking sector, one name has emerged as both notorious and enigmatic: Hassna Hena. Once a trusted advisor to the controversial Major General (Ret.) Tariq Ahmed Siddique—who served as a key security and defense advisor to the discredited government of Sheikh Hasina—Hena has become embroiled in a web of allegations that span corruption, illicit financial activities, and a lifestyle that raises eyebrows.
Tariq Siddique, after taking office in 2009 as Sheikh Hasina’s advisor, quickly ascended to a position of power, reportedly leading to a rise in criminal enterprise, drug trafficking, and other illegal pursuits, with Hena by his side. She is alleged to have been a witness to Siddique’s many transgressions, from the infamous “mirror room” incidents to cases of enforced disappearances and even murder.
Investigations reveal that Hena was entrusted with the management of Siddique’s illicit wealth. Despite her lack of qualifications, she was appointed to a high-ranking position at a military-controlled bank during the Awami League’s tenure, where she oversaw critical banking transactions linked to Siddique.
While Siddique has since gone into hiding following the fall of Hasina’s government, Hena has remained firmly in her role, currently serving as Deputy Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Trust Bank.
However, her position is now under scrutiny. Recent allegations have surfaced regarding her involvement in loan fraud, embezzlement, and the illicit acquisition of vast assets abroad. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has received numerous complaints detailing the extensive network of transactions tied to her name, including the approval of a staggering 100 million Taka loan to a shell company, MR Global Limited, without any proper documentation or credit checks. This loan has since been classified as non-performing, raising serious questions about Hena’s oversight.
Additionally, it is alleged that Hena facilitated the laundering of over 10 billion Taka through various garment and beverage companies, channeling these funds overseas. Investigators have traced luxurious properties in upscale neighborhoods—Gulshan, Banani, and Baridhara—back to her, suggesting that the wealth used to acquire these assets is tainted by fraudulent activities within the bank.
Hena is also implicated in a broader scheme of corruption within the bank’s recruitment processes, allegedly accepting substantial bribes for appointing favored candidates to senior positions. Her influence, bolstered by her connections to Siddique, has allowed her to make unilateral decisions, often sidestepping the bank’s board of directors.
Accusations against Hena are piling up, and the ramifications of her actions are felt throughout the financial sector, eroding public trust and raising alarms about the integrity of banking in Bangladesh. Sources indicate that defaulted loans linked to her dealings could exceed several thousand crores, further destabilizing the already fragile financial landscape.
Efforts to contact Hena for comment were unsuccessful, as she did not respond to calls. Meanwhile, authorities have taken action against Siddique and his family, freezing their bank accounts as part of an ongoing investigation into money laundering activities.
The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has issued directives to various banks to suspend transactions linked to Siddique, his wife, and their two daughters, invoking provisions under the Money Laundering Prevention Act. This decisive action underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential repercussions for those entangled in Hena’s corrupt network.
As this investigation unfolds, one pressing question remains: how deep does this web of deceit reach, and what will it take to restore integrity to Bangladesh’s banking sector?
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