The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has sought details of bank accounts held in the name of content creator Salman Muqtadir.
A letter was sent to banks and financial institutions across the country on Wednesday, with officials from several banks confirming receipt of the letter.
The BFIU has requested account opening forms, Know Your Customer (KYC) documents, transaction records and other relevant information related to accounts held in Salman’s name. Banks have been instructed to provide the information within a specified timeframe.
It was not immediately clear why the BFIU sought the information.
The request comes amid ongoing discussions surrounding an attack, vandalism and looting at Salman Muqtadir’s Brownfish Studio at New Guinea Properties in the capital’s ECB Chattar area.
The studio was attacked on Saturday night, causing extensive damage. The New Guinea Properties office and several nearby structures were also reportedly vandalized.
Saiful Islam Bhuiyan, a director of New Guinea Properties, filed a case with Cantonment police station over the incident, accusing the attackers of trespassing, vandalism, looting and theft. Police and the Detective Branch (DB) have arrested several people in connection with the case.
Conflicting accounts over motive
Following the attack, Salman Muqtadir initially alleged that it was related to extortion.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed later said a preliminary investigation indicated that the incident stemmed from a dispute over around 35 kathas of land.
According to the home minister, the dispute involved New Guinea Properties and a party linked to a retired military officer. Salman’s studio, located on the premises, was also targeted during the attack.
The home minister also said spent bullet casings and locally made weapons were recovered from the scene.
Police have also linked the attack to the land dispute, saying a group of people attacked the property following a conflict over its entrance and access routes. Some of those arrested have also been accused of being involved in planning the attack.
Salman objects to home minister’s remarks
Following the home minister’s remarks, Salman said he had gone to Cantonment police station on the night of the incident to file a case.
He alleged that police were initially reluctant to register the case, although it was eventually accepted. His statements on the matter have been reported by several media outlets.
On September 29, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Zahed Ur Rahman also mentioned Salman by name, saying content creators with large audiences should exercise greater responsibility in their future conduct.
Against the backdrop of the attack, the land dispute and the subsequent statements, the BFIU’s request for information on Salman’s bank accounts has drawn attention.
Sources said banks will now provide the requested account, transaction and related financial information to the BFIU as instructed.