Committee formed to probe financial crimes

The interim government has decided to form a separate committee to begin the investigation into those involved in financial crimes.

On Tuesday, the joint task force, formed by the interim government, froze Tk 17,000 crore worth of shares, around Tk 4,000 crore held in different bank accounts and imposed travel bans on 84 individuals from 10 major industrial groups and the Sheikh family through courts.

The developments were shared at the seventh meeting of the task force, which was formed to investigate alleged money laundering and other misdeeds by 10 major industrial groups and the Sheikh family.

The meeting was held at the central bank headquarters and presided over by Ahsan H Mansur, the Bangladesh Bank governor and chairperson of the task force.

Suggestions were made to take initiatives to recover the money laundered abroad, The Daily Star has learnt from people involved with the proceedings.

The task force teams are investigating alleged money laundering and other irregularities by S Alam Group, Beximco Group, Summit Group, Bashundhara Group, Gemcon Group, Orion Group, Nabil Group, Nassa Group, Sikder Group, and Aramit Group.

In addition, ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members are also under investigation.

Among the 10 major business groups and the Sheikh family, nine groups have been found to possess assets abroad. The assets have been made with the laundered money, the meeting participants said.