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

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

Also read: High Court asks for list of Bangladeshi ‘money launderers’ with dual citizenship

It also asked why the inactivity of the authorities concerned to bring back laundered money should not be declared illegal.

The ruling came 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 dtate.

Also read: File report on money launderers by Feb 28: HC

March 30 has been fixed as the next date 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 forming a separate team to investigate money laundering and issue order to bring back laundered money or recommend formulating new law to this end.

Also read: Money laundering: ACC opens probe against RMG owners

ACC lawyer Khurshid told the court that the authorities concerned are investigating those 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 bringing back laundered money from the Swiss Bank, he said.