ACC to file 2 cases against former SB chief’s family

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided to file two cases against former Special Branch (SB) chief and Additional Inspector General of Police Monirul Islam and members of his family over allegations of acquiring illegal wealth and money laundering.

ACC Deputy Director Mohammad Mozammil Hossain disclosed the decision at a press conference at the commission’s headquarters on Monday.

According to the ACC, its investigation found net assets worth more than Tk 23.32 crore in the name of Monirul Islam’s brother-in-law, Rezaul Alam Shaheen, along with transactions exceeding Tk 1,047 crore through 40 bank accounts. The commission also found net assets worth nearly Tk 12.98 crore in the name of Shaheen’s wife, Sanjida Khanam Tumpa.

The ACC said it could not identify legitimate sources for a substantial portion of the assets held by both individuals.

Its investigation found that Shaheen held net assets worth Tk 23,32,46,526, which were inconsistent with his known legitimate income.

Between 2013 and 2024, Tk 529,92,88,628 was deposited into 40 bank accounts in his name, while Tk 517,35,41,910 was withdrawn. The total transactions amounted to Tk 1,047,28,30,538, for which he allegedly failed to provide an acceptable explanation of the lawful source of funds.

The commission suspects that Monirul Islam abused his position and authority to launder money allegedly obtained through bribery and corruption by using his brother-in-law’s name and bank accounts. The first case will name Monirul Islam, his wife, former Additional Secretary Sayla Farzana, and Shaheen as accused.

The second case concerns Shaheen’s wife, Sanjida Khanam Tumpa. The ACC found net assets worth Tk 12,97,59,763 in her name, of which Tk 67,10,761 was supported by legitimate sources of income. The remaining Tk 12,30,49,002 allegedly had no identifiable lawful source.

The investigation also found that 27 bank accounts in Tumpa’s name recorded deposits of Tk 33,10,55,788 and withdrawals of Tk 25,51,98,555 between 2013 and 2024, involving total transactions of Tk 58,62,54,343.

The ACC suspects these assets and transactions are linked to Monirul Islam’s alleged illegal earnings. The second case will name Monirul Islam, Sayla Farzana, Shaheen and Tumpa as accused.

The commission said it had approved the cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, and the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012.

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