BFIU probes accounts of ex-BB chiefs

Staff Reporter :

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has requested banks to provide detailed account information for three former governors of Bangladesh Bank (BB), four former deputy governors, and two former heads of the BFIU, officials said.

The former governors under scrutiny are Atiur Rahman, Fazle Kabir, and Abdur Rouf Talukder. The deputy governors include Shitangshu Kumar Sur Chowdhury, SM Moniruzzaman, Kazi Sayedur Rahman, and Abu Farah Md Nasser, while the former BFIU heads are Abu Hena Mohammad Razee Hassan and Md Masud Biswas.

A senior BFIU official, speaking anonymously, said the request was made at the behest of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Letters seeking information were sent to banks last week.

The BFIU has asked financial institutions to submit comprehensive records, including account opening forms, Know Your Customer (KYC) documents, transaction histories, and other relevant data to support investigations into alleged financial irregularities.

The move follows revelations of significant banking-sector irregularities during the 16-year tenure of the Awami League-led government, brought to light after the political transition on 5 August 2024. The officials under review held regulatory authority over the central banking system during that period.

Observers say the BFIU’s action is part of wider efforts to enhance transparency and accountability in Bangladesh’s financial sector. Examining the financial activities of former central bank leadership aims to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering regulations and identify potential misconduct.

The BFIU has stressed that cooperation from all banking institutions is mandatory, and detailed documentation is essential for the ongoing investigations. Analysts suggest the findings could have major implications for banking governance and regulatory oversight in the country.