Former schoolteacher turned billionaire parliamentarian, Jannat Ara Henry, was arrested on Monday in Moulvibazar on charges of corruption and amassing illegal wealth. The arrest follows her going into hiding after the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5. Henry rose to prominence during the Awami League’s 15-year rule and entered politics in 2008, representing Sirajganj.
Henry is accused of corruption, bribery, concealing assets, and money laundering, allegedly facilitated by political protection during her tenure as a Member of Parliament. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) alleges that she exploited her position to accumulate vast wealth through loan facilitation and promotion lobbying, among other illicit financial dealings.
Investigators uncovered significant transactions across multiple bank accounts linked to Henry, providing evidence of widespread money laundering. The ACC’s investigation revealed that Henry owns numerous vehicles, flats, and land across various districts, including Sirajganj, Dhaka, and Moulvibazar, indicating a pattern of concealed assets and illicit financial gains.
The arrest of Jannat Ara Henry marks a significant development in the ongoing crackdown on corruption following the change in government. She is currently being held pending further investigation and is expected to face trial on multiple charges related to corruption and financial crimes.