A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of 83 bank accounts holding around Tk 194.7 million belonging to former Special Branch (SB) chief and ex-Additional Inspector General of Police Mohammad Monirul Islam and his family members.
On Thursday (October 15) the order was issued by Ayesha Akhtar Mousumi, acting judge of the Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge’s Court, following an application by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
According to the ACC application, Monirul’s accounts contain Tk 7.86 million, while those of his wife, Sayla Farzana, a former additional secretary at the Ministry of Public Administration, hold Tk 802,670. His brother-in-law, Rezaul Alam Shaheen, has Tk 106.04 million in 40 accounts, while Shaheen’s wife, Sanjida Khanam Tumpa, holds Tk 82.2 million in 27 accounts. Monirul’s accounts also contain £3,978.
The ACC alleged that the individuals were involved in the misappropriation of Tk 250 million, embezzlement of funds after taking control of two non-governmental organisations, Kuwait Society for Relief and Sharjah Charity International, and the acquisition of illicit assets through alleged corruption and abuse of power.
The commission further said preliminary inquiries had identified numerous bank accounts and assets allegedly acquired through irregularities. It expressed concern that the funds could be withdrawn and transferred abroad, potentially causing losses to the state.
The freezing order was sought to prevent the transfer or dissipation of the funds while the investigation proceeds.
The allegations have yet to be established through judicial proceedings.