HC asks for names, whereabouts of money launderers

The High Court has required names and whereabouts of Bangladeshi money launderers in possession of houses and properties abroad.

A division bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Ahmed made the queries on Thursday.

The court directed the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and other authorities concerned to submit reports by February 28. Further hearing on the matter will be held on the day.

ACC and other authorities concerned will have to submit particulars of the money launderers, especially those who sent money to various countries including Canada, Singapore and Malaysia and bought houses there.

The court also asked for information as to the action taken against the money launderers.

Earlier, on November 22, the HC issued a suo moto rule asking the government to clarify why it shall not submit the particulars of the money launderers.

Appearing for the state, Attorney General AM Amin Uddin informed the court of the steps taken by the government in this regard.

The government has taken legal steps against money launderers and sought further information through diplomatic channels, he said, adding more time is needed to complete the process.

Submitting a compliance report, ACC counsel Khurshid Alam Khan said 100 people including Casino kingpins Selim Prodhan, Ismail Hossain Samrat and Khaled Mahmud are sued for laundering money.

ACC and government have brought back around Tk 70 crore siphoned money through mutual legal assistance cooperation law, he said.

Besides, BNP ministers Moudud Ahmed, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and M Morshed Khan and businessmen Mosaddek Ali Falu and Gias Uddin Al Mamun are booked for similar charges and corruption, he added.