The Financial Crime Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has frozen 35 bank accounts belonging to journalist Munni Saha and individuals and organizations associated with her interests.
The accounts reportedly hold a total of BDT 18 crore 16 lakh 53 thousand 739. Additionally, the CID has information about suspicious transactions totaling BDT 186 crore 56 lakh 91 thousand 8 in these bank accounts.
CID Special Superintendent of Police (Media) Jasim Uddin Khan confirmed this information on Saturday, May 24.
He stated that Munni Saha and her husband, Kabir Hossain, allegedly used their journalism profession to illicitly earn money through fraud and extortion by exerting undue influence.
The CID received complaints that they were transacting these illegally acquired funds through bank accounts operated in their names and the names of their associates.
Based on these allegations, the CID's Financial Crime Unit initiated a money laundering investigation against the suspected individuals and their associates, in accordance with the Anti-Money Laundering Rules, 2019.
During the preliminary investigation, the investigating officer reviewed information on bank accounts held by Munni Saha, her husband Kabir Hossain, and their associates.
It was found that a total of 46 bank accounts were opened in various banks in the names of the suspected individuals and their associates, of which 35 are currently active.
From the date of opening, a total of BDT 186 crore 56 lakh 91 thousand 8 in suspicious transactions have been conducted through these accounts at various times, and currently, there is a balance of BDT 18 crore 16 lakh 53 thousand 739.
As the transactions in these bank accounts appeared suspicious during the preliminary investigation, an application was made to freeze them.
In response to the investigating officer's application, the Senior Special Judge, Metropolitan Sessions Judge, Dhaka, ordered the freezing of 35 bank accounts, including the BDT 18 crore 16 lakh 53 thousand 739 held in the names of the suspected Munni Saha, her husband Kabir Hossain, and their associated individuals and organizations.
Following the order, a total of BDT 18 crore 16 lakh 53 thousand 739 across 35 bank accounts was frozen.
Jasim Uddin Khan, CID Special Superintendent of Police (Media), stated that the investigation against the suspected Munni Saha, her husband Kabir Hossain, and their associated individuals and organizations is ongoing under the Anti-Money Laundering Rules, 2019.
