Panel formed to probe BFIU head’s controversial video

The Financial Institutions Division (FID) of the finance ministry has formed a four-member committee to probe and submit an enquiry report on the controversial image/video of AFM Shahinul Islam, head of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), that was circulating on social media.

Md Sayed Kutub, additional secretary of the FID, will be the convenor of the committee, while the three members are Md Sirajul Islam, executive director of Bangladesh Bank; Md Matiur Rahman, director of the ICT-2 Division of the central bank; and Mohammad Saidul Islam, joint secretary of the FID, who will be the member secretary.

The enquiry committee will have to submit its report with opinions within seven working days.

In a statement, Mohammad Shahriar Siddiqui, director and assistant spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank, said that the BFIU is a state institution of national importance.

The government has direct attention on the matter concerning the head of the BFIU, the statement read, adding that the government has formed the enquiry committee to investigate every allegation raised against him.

"If the allegations are proven on the basis of the investigation report, legal action will be taken against him."

In the meantime, in the interest of the investigation, the government has directed the BFIU chief to remain on leave, according to the BB statement.

Earlier on Tuesday, a section of Bangladesh Bank officials and employees submitted a memorandum to the governor.

The memorandum stated that multiple objectionable videos of AFM Shahinul Islam circulating on social media have severely damaged the image of the state and the institution.

Following the fall of the Awami League-led government, former BFIU chief Md Masud Biswas was forced to resign on August 8 last year amid protests from central bank officials.

The post remained vacant for a long time before Islam was appointed in January this year.