Banks asked to freeze bank accounts of Zahid Maleque, Dipu Moni, Sheikh Helal, Liakat Sikdar

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has directed all banks and financial institutions to freeze the accounts of 11 individuals, including former Health Minister Zahid Maleque, former Social Welfare Minister Dr Dipu Moni, and former lawmaker Sheikh Helal Uddin, and former Chhatra League President Liakat Ali Sikdar, along with their family members.

The others include Zahid Maleque’s son Rahat Maleque and daughter Cynthia Maleque; Dipu Moni’s husband Toufiq Nawaz and brother JR Wadud Tipu; Sheikh Helal’s wife Rupa Chowdhury and son, former MP Sheikh Sarhan Nasser Tonmoy; and Liakat Ali Sikdar’s wife, Mahmuda Ali Sikdar.

The BFIU directive also extends to the bank account of Computer World BD, a business owned by Mahmuda Ali Sikdar.

It has also instructed all banks and financial institutions to suspend transactions in accounts linked to Major General (dismissed) Ziaul Ahsan, a former army officer.

All banks and financial institutions are to report account information of the people mentioned above within five working days, according to the directive.

Officials from Bangladesh Bank said the freeze will remain in place for 30 days, with the possibility of an extension if needed for the ongoing investigation.