Wealth Confiscation Order
How much wealth do Quader, Nasim, Arafat and others have?
Obaidul Quader, Bahauddin Nasim, and Mohammad A. Arafat. Collected photo.
The International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced 7 accused to death for crimes against humanity committed during the student-public movement in July-August 2024.
The convicted individuals are—banned Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, former State Minister for Information Mohammad Ali Arafat, banned Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, banned Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain, and General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan.
On Tuesday (September 15), the three-member International Crimes Tribunal-2 led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury delivered this verdict. In the verdict, orders were given to confiscate half of the movable and immovable properties of the 5 accused other than Saddam and Inan. The Tribunal ordered the confiscated properties to be distributed as compensation among the families of the July martyrs and injured individuals.
After this verdict, readers have developed an interest in knowing how much wealth the 5 accused whose properties are being confiscated actually possess. An idea of their wealth can be found in the affidavits submitted to the EC at the time of being candidates in the 2024 election.
Among those whose properties are being confiscated, four took part in the 12th National Parliament election held on January 7, 2024. They are—Obaidul Quader (Noakhali-5), Bahauddin Nasim (Dhaka-8), Mohammad Ali Arafat (Dhaka-17), and Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil (Dhaka-14).
At that time, they provided details of their wealth in affidavits submitted to the Election Commission. These are still available on the EC's website.
Obaidul Quader's Wealth
Before the 2024 election, Obaidul Quader had stated in his affidavit that he possessed wealth worth Tk 3 crore 74 lakh. Among this, he showed the value of movable properties as Tk 3 crore 23 lakh. And he showed the value of immovable properties as Tk 51 lakh.
Among the movable properties, he showed the value of a car used by himself as Tk 77 lakh 50 thousand. In addition, he mentioned having furniture worth Tk 8 lakh 75 thousand, electronic items worth Tk 9 lakh 20 thousand, 25 bhori of gold worth Tk 1.5 lakh, Tk 76 thousand in bank accounts, and Tk 80 thousand in cash in hand. Obaidul Quader showed only 5 katha of land in Uttara, Dhaka as immovable property. The value of this land was stated as approximately Tk 51 lakh.
Bahauddin Nasim's Wealth
In the election affidavit, AFM Bahauddin Nasim had stated that he possessed total wealth worth Tk 35 crore 19 lakh. Among this, the amount of movable properties was Tk 29 crore 79 lakh. And the amount of immovable properties was Tk 5 crore 40 lakh.
According to the affidavit, Nasim's shares and bonds in various companies are worth Tk 11 crore 14 lakh. He has savings certificates worth Tk 60 lakh. His two cars are worth approximately Tk 65 lakh. He showed the value of 25 bhori of gold as Tk 3.5 lakh. He showed the value of electronic equipment and furniture as Tk 10.25 lakh. In addition, he mentioned having Tk 7 crore 69 lakh in cash in hand and Tk 9 crore 56 lakh in banks.
Among immovable properties, Nasim mentioned having 139 decimals of agricultural land in Madaripur and Savar. He has 153 decimals of non-agricultural land in South Keraniganj, Madaripur, and Gazipur. The total value of the land was shown as Tk 2 crore 24 lakh. In addition, Nasim has a building in Uttara, Dhaka. Its value was shown as Tk 2 crore 71 lakh. He has a flat worth Tk 45 lakh in Mirpur, Dhaka.
Arafat's Wealth
Mohammad Ali Arafat stated in his affidavit that he possessed total wealth worth Tk 4 crore 69 lakh. Among this, the amount of movable properties was Tk 1 crore 99 lakh and the amount of immovable properties was Tk 2 crore 70 lakh.
Among the movable properties, his shares in 9 companies are worth approximately Tk 1 crore 45 lakh. In addition, there are savings certificates worth Tk 34 lakh, a car worth Tk 17 lakh 20 thousand, and electronic items worth Tk 3 lakh.
Among his immovable properties, there is an apartment in the Gulshan-2 area of the capital. Its value was shown in the affidavit as Tk 2 crore 70 lakh.
Nikhil's Wealth
In the election affidavit, Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil stated that he possessed total wealth worth Tk 5 crore 69 lakh 16 thousand. Among this, the amount of movable properties was Tk 5 crore, and the amount of immovable properties was Tk 69 lakh 16 thousand.
Among his movable properties, there is Tk 24 lakh in cash. He has an FDR worth Tk 1 crore in his own name, and shares worth Tk 70 lakh in various institutions. He showed the value of three vehicles as Tk 1 crore 14 lakh. In addition, he mentioned having electronic items and furniture worth Tk 2 lakh.
In Nikhil's affidavit, in the list of immovable properties, he mentioned 6 acres of agricultural land worth Tk 4 lakh 45 thousand and another 57.50 decimals of agricultural land worth Tk 25 lakh 52 thousand.
In addition, the value of a 3-katha non-agricultural plot was shown as Tk 4 lakh 71 thousand 600, and he provided information about properties worth Tk 34 lakh 47 thousand 610 in the house or apartment category.
