In Gazipur, Bangladesh, a vast network of resorts and vacation homes, believed to be linked to Sheikh Rehana, the younger sister of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been uncovered.

These properties, acquired over the years, were intended as private retreats for leisure and relaxation. However, following the fall of the government, several of these vacation homes became the targets of angry mobs.

The discoveries come amid growing controversy surrounding Sheikh Rehana’s family, especially her daughter, Tulip Siddiq, who has faced allegations of unethical conduct in the United Kingdom.

The recent resignation of Tulip has only fueled public suspicion. In response, Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into the family’s extensive wealth.

Early findings suggest substantial assets, far beyond what had been previously known.

One of the most notable properties is located in Kanaiya, within the Gazipur Metropolitan area, about 15 kilometers from Joydebpur.

The area, characterized by a mix of paved and dirt roads lined with rows of trees, offers a tranquil and lush environment.

Here, a grand vacation home was built in the name of Tulip Siddiq.

Spanning nearly 35 bighas (about 11 acres), this property—aptly named "Tulip's Territory"—is a luxurious estate featuring a sprawling bungalow, a pond, and an array of flowering and fruit-bearing trees.

But Tulip’s Territory is only the tip of the iceberg. Investigations have uncovered that Sheikh Rehana’s family possesses other high-value assets in the Gazipur region, with a total estimated worth exceeding 150 crore taka (around $15 million).

These properties, designed with opulence in mind and surrounded by verdant greenery, appear to have been built for the exclusive use of the family.

Barren after the fall of Hasina government

Sources close to the estate have revealed to Bangladeshi daily Manab Zameen that, since the fall of the Hasina government, no family members have visited Tulip's Territory.

It has been noted that Sheikh Rehana’s husband, Shafiq Siddiq, is in charge of the property’s management, overseeing the payment of salaries to the security guards and caretakers responsible for the estate's upkeep.

On a recent visit to Tulip’s Territory by a Manab Zameen correspondent, it was confirmed that the property is being maintained by a small staff: a security guard and two gardeners.

During the visit, Manab Zameen spoke with Abdur Rahim, the security guard, and Nazrul Bhuiyan, the gardener.

Nazrul Bhuiyan, who has been working as the estate's gardener for three years, said, “The owner of this vacation home is Shafiq Siddiq. He doesn’t come here. The family used to visit often, but no one has been here since August 5.”

When asked about his salary, Nazrul explained, “Before, Sir would send my salary, and he continues to do so in the same way.”

Abdur Rahim, who has been stationed at the property for five years, described the unrest that followed the political upheaval: “Since the disturbance began, no one from the family has come. On August 5, a group of people arrived and vandalized two of the bungalows. They broke the windows, smashed everything, and looted the furniture inside. We’re just ordinary people, and we couldn’t stop them.”

Local residents assert existence of more properties

Conversations with local residents in Kanaiya have revealed that, even before the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5, heightened security measures were in place around the family’s vacation home.

Various security agencies, including the police, were stationed around the property. On days when Sheikh Rehana’s family visited, the government took further steps to bolster security.

Wadud Hossain, a local resident, told Manab Zamin, “I’ve seen this garden for 17 or 18 years. It belongs to Sheikh Rehana’s family. They bought land from people here and built a huge vacation home. Those who worked there told me it’s landscaped beautifully, almost like a park. But us locals were never allowed in.”

Another resident, Abdus Sobhan, estimated, “This place is about 35 bighas in size.”

Hafiz Uddin, also from Kanaiya, explained, “We are poor people. If we speak out, there could be trouble. This vacation home was built in the names of Sheikh Rehana’s daughters, but the real owner is her husband, Shafiq Siddiq.”

Meanwhile, an investigation by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has uncovered additional properties in Gazipur linked to the family.

These include a vacation home spanning 25 bighas in Bangalgachh, a garden property on 23 bighas in Faokal, and a 15-16 bigha estate in Kalikair’s Mauchak area.

While locals believed these properties belonged to Sheikh Rehana’s family, it turns out they are formally owned by her husband Shafiq Ahmed Siddiq, her brother-in-law Tariq Ahmed Siddiq, and other close relatives.

According to ACC documents, one of these properties in Faokal is situated next to the Bangladesh Armaments and Mint facilities.

The 23-bigha estate is surrounded by a tall boundary wall and includes a stylish duplex home. The land was purchased in 2012 from local Hindu landowners Anil and Akshay, with 14 bighas bought at a price of 35 lakh taka per bigha.

However, due to complications with the land documents, no payment was made for 8 of those bighas. Today, land in the area is valued at around 2.5 crore taka per bigha.

The purchase was arranged by influential local businessman Swapna, and the deal was made in the name of Tariq Siddiq, who served as a defense and security advisor to Sheikh Hasina, and her brother-in-law.

More properties under scrutiny

In the Bangalgachh area of Gazipur, another expansive vacation home, named Bagan Bilas, sits on about 25 bighas of land.

Surrounded by hundreds of trees, the property offers a serene environment. It features a three-room thatched house designed for relaxation, a smaller adjacent house, a large pond, and a bil (water body) at the front.

A watchtower also stands on the premises, adding to the property’s secluded charm.

Meanwhile, along the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, near the Bangladesh Scouts Training Center, lies another bungalow owned by Sheikh Rehana, covering 15-16 bighas of land.

Every year, family members would retreat to this property for private getaways.

It also served as a venue for regular meetings, with former Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque and other Awami League leaders and activists frequently gathering there.

The ACC has revealed that, in addition to Tulip’s Territory, several other properties linked to Sheikh Rehana’s family have been uncovered during its investigation.

The combined value of these estates is estimated at over 165 crore taka (approximately $16.5 million).

An anonymous ACC official told Manab Zamin, “So far, we’ve identified four vacation homes tied to Sheikh Rehana’s family. We are currently conducting on-site visits for further investigation.”

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