Court Orders Freeze on Shamim, Wife’s Bank Accounts

DHAKA — A Dhaka court on Monday ordered the freezing of four bank accounts, two beneficiary owner (BO) accounts and two savings certificates held in the names of former Shariatpur-2 lawmaker AKM Enamul Haque Shamim and his wife, Mst Tahmina Khatun, amid an inquiry into allegations of corruption and money laundering.

Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Shahjahan Kabir passed the order following an application by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). According to the ACC, an inquiry is underway into allegations of money laundering involving Shamim and individuals and organisations linked to his interests.

During the inquiry, investigators found information about various bank accounts, BO accounts and savings certificates held in the names of Shamim and his wife, the commission said. Two of the bank accounts are in Shamim’s name at National Bank PLC’s Dhanmondi Branch and First Security Islami Bank PLC’s Dilkusha Branch.

The other two bank accounts are in Tahmina Khatun’s name at National Bank PLC’s Foreign Exchange Branch and National Credit and Commerce Bank PLC’s Dhanmondi Branch. Tahmina Khatun also holds two BO accounts with Sinha Securities Limited and NBL Securities Limited, along with two family savings certificates registered with the Department of National Savings.

The ACC told the court that information obtained during the inquiry indicated that the individuals named in the allegations were allegedly attempting to transfer, hand over or dispose of funds and other assets held in the accounts and certificates.

The commission said that if the assets were transferred or disposed of, recovering the money later could become difficult. It therefore sought an immediate freeze on the accounts and savings certificates to prevent the withdrawal, transfer or disposal of the funds. After hearing the ACC’s application, the court granted the plea and ordered the freezing of the movable assets.