BFIU chief attends office defying directive

Staff Reporter :

AFM Shahinul Islam, head of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), will remain on mandatory leave as an ongoing investigation continues. Despite clear instructions, Shahinul Islam reported to work at the central bank on Wednesday, prompting tension and internal conflict.

The leave order follows the circulation of a controversial video on social media over the weekend. Deputy Governor Zakir Hossain Chowdhury confirmed that the governor’s directive for Shahinul Islam to be on forced leave remains in effect.

“The BFIU chief’s appointment is managed by the Financial Institutions Division, which will decide on his tenure. However, the governor’s leave directive will continue, and appropriate action will be taken pending the investigation,” Chowdhury said.

The controversy arose when a video purportedly showing Shahinul Islam sending explicit content to a woman went viral on Monday. Shahinul Islam has claimed that the clip was generated using artificial intelligence. In response, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur ordered him to be placed on mandatory leave on Tuesday.

Earlier, a group of central bank officials submitted a memorandum to the governor requesting that Shahinul Islam be immediately sent on forced leave. Meanwhile, the central bank’s fact-checking team has reportedly found evidence supporting the allegations associated with the video.