United News of Bangladesh

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has filed a money laundering case against former law minister Anisul Huq, his female friend Taufiqa Karim, and two others over allegations of extortion and illegal financial transactions involving nearly Tk 25 crore. The CID lodged the regular case with Bhatara Police Station on Sunday under Section 4(2) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012 (amended in 2015), said CID Special Superintendent of Police (Media) Jasim Uddin Khan. The other accused are Md Rashedul Kawsar Bhuiyan alias Jibon and Md Kamruzzaman. According to the CID’s Financial Crime Unit, the four accused allegedly formed an organised crime ring and systematically collected money through illegal means over an extended period. The investigation found that Md Kamruzzaman, who joined the National Bank of Pakistan as managing director in 2015, regularly transferred funds to Taufiqa Karim’s personal bank account under the pretext of a legal consultancy agreement with her law firm, Sirajul Huq Associates. Until Kamruzzaman went into hiding on August 5, 2024, the group allegedly collected Tk 10.80 crore from the bank alone. In addition, CID said Taufiqa Karim’s personal accounts received approximately Tk 10.60 crore from various individuals and organisations. CID further stated that after Anisul Huq became law minister, his close associate Taufiqa Karim and Md Rashedul Kawsar Bhuiyan appointed Jibon as his personal secretary (PS). During this period, the accused allegedly formed an NGO named Legal Assistance to Helpless Prisoners and Persons. Taufiqa Karim served as its chairperson, Md Rashedul Kawsar Bhuiyan Jibon as secretary general, and Anisul Huq as treasurer. Investigators found that the NGO collected a substantial amount of money as donations through accounts maintained at Sonali Bank PLC, Supreme Court Branch. From March 11, 2015, to June 30, 2024, more than Tk 24.53 crore was deposited into the NGO’s accounts. During the investigation, the Dhaka Metropolitan Special Judge Court ordered the freezing of over Tk 24.53 crore deposited in 26 bank accounts in the name of accused Taufiqa Karim, CID officials said. The case is currently under investigation by the Financial Crime Unit of the CID. Authorities said efforts are underway to determine the full extent of the alleged offences, identify additional suspects, and take further legal action. The CID reaffirmed its commitment to combating money laundering and financial crimes, stating that all those involved in such offences will be brought to justice.