ACC files charge sheet against Saima Wazed for providing false information

DHAKA, Oct 18, 2026 (BSS) - The ACC has filed a charge sheet against Saima Wazed, daughter of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, for providing false information in her application for the position of Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Secretary of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Md. Saidur Rahman Khan disclosed this information during its regular media briefing at the commission’s headquarters here today.

According to the ACC’s investigation, Saima Wazed provided false and fabricated information in the application submitted to the WHO for the post of Regional Director for South-East Asia, claiming that she had worked as an "Honorary Specialist/Expert" at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU).

The investigation further stated that Saima Wazed utilized this information to secure the position of WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia while serving as the Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on Autism and Neuro-developmental Disorders and the Shuchona Foundation. 

The investigation report stated that pressure was exerted to have the relevant documents forwarded through the foreign ministry, without allowing for the necessary scrutiny or verification.

Subsequently, the documents were transmitted to the WHO headquarters in Geneva via the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations and other international organizations. The investigation noted that this information was then used to secure the individual's appointment as the Regional Director for South-East Asia at the organization.

The ACC investigation characterized these actions as an abuse of power, an act that tarnished the nation's reputation and criminal misconduct.

A case regarding this incident was filed on March 20 of last year at the ACC’s Dhaka-1 Integrated District Office. The investigating officer for the case is Tahasin Munabil Haque, Deputy Director of the Money Laundering-1 unit at the ACC’s headquarters.

The charges in the case have been brought under sections 420, 468, and 471 of the Penal Code, as well as section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947. The investigation report also references section 409 of the Penal Code.

Based on the findings of the investigation, the ACC is filing a charge sheet against Saima Wazed under the relevant legal provisions.