Soltu’s wealth is not limited to Bangladesh. He owns four properties worth hundreds of crores in Toronto, Canada, and flats in Dubai. Allegations have surfaced that he engages in gambling worth crores daily in Toronto.
Sheikh Fahim Behind Soltu’s Meteoric Wealth Accumulation
A businessman close to Soltu told that Sheikh Fazle Fahim, former president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) from 2019 to 2021, was the key figure behind Soltu’s extraordinary wealth. During his tenure, Fahim allegedly began laundering large sums of money to Canada. With his influence, Soltu established a CNG filling station in Mallikpur, Sunamganj. This station reportedly supplied gas cylinders to various industries, and with the connivance of dishonest officials at Jalalabad Gas Company, Soltu allegedly siphoned off crores through gas theft over five years. The station was shut down after 5 August but has recently been reopened.
Documents obtained through Jugantor’s investigation reveal that in 2019, Soltu purchased a house worth approximately Tk100 crore in Toronto’s Scarborough area on Pitt Avenue in his wife Shelly Das’s name. The funds were allegedly transferred through a company named Equity Credit Union Inc., accused of facilitating money laundering from Bangladesh to Canada. Additionally, Soltu registered another property in his name at 138 Melbourne in Scarborough for $1.75 million, with payments processed through Canada Inc. and Kubar Mortgage Investment Corporation. He currently resides with his family in a triplex at Plot 190, Holding 138, Melbourne, Toronto, having fled there after 5 August.
In 2017, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a case against officials and contractors of the Water Development Board over the flooding of Haor crops, naming Soltu and his friend, former district Jubo League president Khairul Huda Chapal, as key accused. However, allegations suggest Sheikh Fazle Fahim’s intervention led to their names being removed from the case, rendering the ACC’s investigation questionable. Chapal, too, has reportedly amassed hundreds of crores and leads a lavish life in Toronto, owning multiple properties.
Dramatic Rise and Connections with the Powerful
Soltu’s ascent has a dramatic backstory. During the 1996 national election campaign, he was seen polishing the shoes of Abdus Samad Azad. On Azad’s instructions, Sunamganj district Awami League leader Nurul Huda Mukut involved him in contracting work. This led to a friendship with Mukut’s younger brother, Khairul Huda Chapal. The duo allegedly dominated tender manipulations in government institutions throughout the Awami League’s tenure.
After Sheikh Fazle Fahim became FBCCI president, Soltu acted as his unofficial cashier and was appointed an FBCCI director under Gopalganj’s quota. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fahim and central Jubo League leaders attended Soltu’s father’s shraddha ceremony in three helicopters, for which Soltu spent Tk50 lakh to build a helipad. Allegations claim that during FBCCI director elections, Soltu collected Tk1-1.5 crore in cash per director position on Fahim’s behalf.
Soltu owns multiple flats in Dhaka’s Bashundhara residential area and properties worth crores in Sylhet’s Uttar Bagbari. After fleeing to Canada, his luxury cars have been hidden. Efforts to contact Sheikh Fazle Fahim, who is absconding, were unsuccessful. When contacted, Soltu disconnected the call and did not respond to text messages.
