Money laundering: ACC, CID asked to submit reports on 69 individuals, firms
PBC News: The High Court on Sunday directed to submit reports on the progress of the investigation into the money laundering allegations against Bangladeshi nationals whose names were published in the Panama Papers and Paradise Papers.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) were directed to submit the reports by March 6 next.
Besides, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) were directed to submit a list of names of the Bangladeshi individuals who kept money in foreign banks including the Swiss Banks by the same date.
The HC bench, comprising Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman issued the directive during the hearing a writ petition and a suo moto rule involving the issues.
Advocate Abdul Qaiyum Khan and Subir Nandi Das appeared as the writ petitioners, while lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan argued for the ACC and Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik represented the state during the hearing.
The ACC on January 27, submitted a report to the HC containing the names of 61 Bangladeshi individuals and seven organisations mentioned in the Panama Papers as money launderers.
The report, however, contained no specific independent findings by the ACC about the Bangladeshis who have laundered and deposited huge amounts of money to overseas banks and purchased property.
The ACC could not conduct an inquiry as it was unable to find the detailed names and addresses, accurate information or relevant records of their (61 individuals) investments in the offshore companies, said the report.
The BFIU submitted the list of names of 61 individuals and seven organisations to the court on Wednesday last whose names have been surfaced in the Paradise and Panama Papers. The report showed that the list included noted businessmen and politicians of the country.
