HC seeks list of money launderers

The High Court on Sunday sought a list of people who have laundered money from Bangladesh.

It also asked the authorities concerned to inform the court about steps taken to bring back the laundered money.

The bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Mohi Uddin Shamim also issued a ruling seeking an explanation from the authorities concerned on why it should not order an investigation against those named in the Paradise and Panama papers.

The court also asked why the inactivity of the authorities concerned in bringing back the laundered money should not be declared illegal.

The ruling was issued after the court heard a writ petition filed by lawyers Abdul Qaiyyum Khan and Subir Nandi Das. 

Khan took part in the hearing on behalf of the petitioner. Advocate Khurshid Alam represented the Anti-Corruption Commission, while Attorney General AM Amin Uddin and Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik stood for the state.

March 30 has been fixed for the next of hearing.

Fifteen people, including secretaries to Prime Minister’s Office, finance, commerce, foreign affairs, home, and law; the Attorney General, Anti-Corruption Commission, Bangladesh Bank governor, and police chief, have been asked to respond to the ruling.

In the ruling, the court asked why it should not order the formation of a separate team to investigate money laundering and issue an order to bring back the laundered money or recommend the formulation of a new law to this end.

ACC lawyer Khurshid told the court the authorities concerned are investigating the people whose names appeared in Panama and Paradise papers. 

Abdul Awal Mintoo and Moosa Bin Shamsher are among these people, he said.

The authorities concerned – including the foreign and home ministries, immigration police, Bangladesh Finance Intelligence Unit (BFIU) – have been informed about the need to bring back the laundered money from the Swiss Bank, he said.