Hasina family still controls foreign pay channels, smuggling crores of taka to India every month through hundi
Last Updated on March 25, 2025 1:26 am
Allegations have surfaced that Media Care Limited, owned by Sheikh Sohel, the cousin of autocrat Sheikh Hasina, is evading crores in VAT and smuggling money to India through hundi from the distribution of foreign pay channels. Similar allegations have been made against One Alliance Limited, operated by ABM Saiful Hossain Sohel, president of the cable operators’ organization COAB, regarding the distribution of Colors Channel. Not only that, it is also alleged that the millions earned monthly from broadcasting foreign channels are being used to fund anti-government activities and conspiracies to bring back the Awami League. Despite being aware of these allegations, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has taken no action.
Recently, a large number of cable operators lodged complaints with the Chief advisor, the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission.
A complaint sent to the Chief advisor reveals that under the shadow and hidden ownership of dictator Sheikh Hasina’s close relative Sheikh Sohel, a monopoly has been established over foreign pay channels (Zee, Sony, and Discovery). Due to Sheikh Sohel’s familial ties with Sheikh Hasina, no one dared to protest. All cable operators in Bangladesh were forced to make excessive payments out of fear. There were even instances where cable operators had to pay 200% extra for upgrades—failure to do so would result in channels being shut down and legal cases filed by the administration. Media Care has been collecting renewal fees from cable operators without providing VAT invoices. Despite a 43.75% VAT and supplementary duty rate set since August 2020, Sheikh Sohel’s Media Care has been evading massive amounts of VAT and supplementary taxes.
The complaint further states that some officials from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, including Sheikh Sohel’s associates Lutfar Rahman Nasim and Rashed Malek, are still managing the channel distribution business. Even though the distribution contracts for channels under Zee Group, Sony Group, Discovery Group, and Colors Group (operated by Media Care) have expired, money is still being forcibly collected from cable operators. Over the years, Sheikh Sohel has smuggled huge sums of money abroad through hundi in accordance with contracts with foreign channels.
It is also alleged that Media Care Limited is currently operating from House No. 74, Road No. 7 in Banani, after previously operating from Sheikh Sohel’s residence in Gulshan.
Additionally, ABM Saiful Hossain Sohel, the current president of the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB), has been accused of assisting Sheikh Sohel’s Media Care. The complaint alleges that both COAB’s president’s company, One Alliance Limited, and Sheikh Sohel’s Media Care are evading VAT.
The complaint sent to the Chief advisor further states that autocrat Sheikh Hasina and her associates, while residing in India, continue to thrive in the Indian pay-channel business, illegally extorting money from cable operators and smuggling it to India through hundi.