Staff Correspondent

A court has ordered the seizure of 16 bank accounts containing Tk 2.39 crore of former social welfare minister Dr Dipu Moni over graft allegations.

Of the 16 accounts, 15 were opened with Bank Asia and the remaining one with Dhaka Bank.

Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib passed the order on Thursday, allowing a plea from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Assistant Director SM Rashedul Hasan of ACC filed the plea before the court.

The ACC in its plea said the former minister is trying to hand over and relocate her movable properties to hinder investigation against her. A total of Taka 31.09 crore was deposited in her bank accounts, while Taka 28.70 crore was withdrawn so far.

Dr Dipu Moni was arrested from the city’s Baridhara area on August 19 and she is now behind bars.