The bank accounts of former Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir and two family members have been frozen. The other family members involved are his wife, Sitara Alamgir, and their son, Joy Alamgir. This action was taken following instructions from the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) to various banks and financial institutions.
Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir previously served as the chairman of Farmers Bank, now known as Padma Bank. During his tenure, the bank faced numerous allegations of irregularities and corruption, which ultimately forced him to resign from his position. Despite the controversies, he did not face any legal repercussions. The bank continues to struggle with liquidity issues, and customers are having difficulty accessing their deposited funds.
The BFIU announced that the freezing of the bank accounts falls under the 2012 Anti-Money Laundering Act. Typically, transactions in a frozen account are halted for an initial period of 30 days, which can be extended if necessary.
The notice to freeze the accounts includes details like the national identification numbers and birth dates of the three individuals. Banks and financial institutions have been instructed to provide the BFIU with relevant documentation, such as account opening forms, KYC information, and transaction details.
This move comes in the wake of recent arrests of many leaders and activists from the Awami League following the government’s downfall on August 5. The freezing of Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir’s and his family’s bank accounts appears to be part of a broader crackdown on corruption among political figures.
The situation highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability in Bangladesh’s financial system, particularly regarding the handling of public funds and the actions of influential political figures.
