NN Online:
The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has extended the freeze on all bank accounts of Chattogram-based businessperson Md Showkat Ali Chowdhury, his wife Tasmiya Ambareen, and their children Zara Namreen and Zaran Ali Chowdhury for an additional 30 days, now effective till August 28, 2025. This extension also applies to any institutions in which they have an interest, including Sole Proprietorship Business.
This extension was confirmed through a circular issued on July 30, 2025, and sent to all scheduled banks across the country. The initial freeze order, dated June 30, 2025, was issued under Section 23(1) (ga) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012, based on suspicious financial transactions reported by several financial institutions.
A reliable source within BFIU confirmed that a total of 35 bank accounts belonging to Chowdhury and his family remain frozen. These accounts reportedly held deposits amounting to approximately Tk 4,591 crore. Investigations have also uncovered that the family owns multiple properties in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, allegedly purchased using laundered money.
Showkat Ali Chowdhury is the chairman of Eastern Bank Ltd. His wife, Tasmiya Ambareen, is the vice-chairperson of National Life Insurance, and their daughter, Zara Namreen, serves as a director of Eastern Bank. The initial action to freeze their accounts on Monday, July 2, 2025, was taken by the BFIU as part of an ongoing investigation into financial crimes and followed proper legal procedures. The BFIU had also instructed banks to send all relevant documents, such as account opening forms, thumb impressions, and KYC (Know Your Customer) details, related to those accounts to the BFIU by July 2. This latest action is part of a broader process since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5 last year, which has seen the accounts of various political leaders and their business beneficiaries frozen.
