The High Court on Sunday refused to hear a writ petition seeking a directive for an investigation into reported Tk 2,770 crore property of former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury in the United Kingdom.
The bench of Justice SM Kuddus Zaman and Justice AKM Rabiul Hassan also dropped the writ petition from its hearing list, which was filed by Md Salah Uddin Reagan on May 9, seeking a directive to the Anti-Corruption Commission to hold the probe.
Reagan told New Age that he would move the petition for hearing by another bench.
The lawyer also sought a ruling on the authorities to explain why their failure to investigate the reported properties of the former state minister of Sheikh Hasina-led government would not be declared illegal.
Saifuzzaman built up a UK real estate empire of more than 350 properties worth about £200 million, Bloomberg News reported on February 18.
The figures were based on a Bloomberg analysis of available Companies House corporate accounts in the UK, mortgage charges and HM Land Registry transactions.
Saifuzzaman’s properties range from luxury apartments in central London to housing in Tower Hamlets—home to the largest Bangladeshi community in England—and student accommodation in Liverpool.
Saifuzzaman hid his assets abroad in the affidavit submitted to the Election Commission before the January 7 national election.
Earlier in March, Saifuzzaman, who is now a lawmaker of the ruling Awami League from Chattogram-13, admitted at a press briefing to owning business and wealth in the UK.
The lawmaker, however, claimed that he did not launder or take any money from Bangladesh in possessing the assets in the UK.
