The central bank recently asked its respective departments to monitor foreign currency exchange activities of Maulana AMM Bahauddin, editor of the Daily Inqilab and son of its founder Maulana Abdul Mannan, in order to prevent him from laundering money abroad, as apprehended by Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in a confidential report.
In a letter sent recently, the central bank informed the Bank and Financial Institutions Division (BFID) of finance ministry that Bangladesh Bank’s Foreign Exchange Investment Department, Foreign Exchange Policy Department, and Foreign Exchange Operation Department had been instructed to thwart any attempt of money laundering made by Bahauddin.
On November 14, the BB's Operational Head Debaprasad Debnath, also the general manager of its Financial Intelligence Unit, sent the letter to Deputy Secretary Md Rizwanul Huda of BFID, stating that – according to the suggestion of a confidential report sent on August 22 from Prime Minister’s Office – related departments of BB had been instructed to take necessary steps in this regard.
Citing a BFID memorandum, the BB letter obtained by the Dhaka Tribune reads: “As there is no legal way to send money obtained by selling patrimonial properties or immovable assets, to abroad without prior permission of Bangladesh Bank, all the related departments of the central bank have been instructed, as per Article 14 (Ka) of the PMO’s confidential report, to take necessary steps so that Mr Bahauddin cannot launder money abroad.”
Referring to his father as “one of the top leaders of anti-liberation forces”, the BB letter mentioned Bahauddin as a supporter of “vested anti-government groups.”
