The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has instructed banks and financial institutions to provide details of bank accounts held by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and others. This includes information related to the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust and accounts linked to commentator Chowdhury Zafarullah Sarafat and his family.
The directive, issued on Monday, December 9, requires banks to submit account-opening forms, KYC details, and transaction records within five business days. The BFIU aims to trace the sources of funds deposited into these accounts and their subsequent utilization, including cash withdrawals.
Sheikh Hasina, who resigned as Prime Minister on August 5 following a historic mass uprising, chairs the Bangabandhu Memorial Trust, with Sheikh Rehana as a trustee. This marks a significant development after 16 years of what many described as unprecedented misgovernance under the Awami League.
The inquiry also extends to Chowdhury Zafarullah Sarafat and his family, known for their close ties with Sheikh Hasina. Previously, the BFIU froze the accounts of Chowdhury Nafiz Sarafat, a former chairman of Padma Bank and a member of the same family.
Dhaka/HK
