Panama, Paradise Papers: HC wants to know steps taken against money launderers

The High Court today directed the government to explain what steps it has taken against the people and institutions, whose names have been disclosed as money launderers in the Panama Papers and Paradise Papers.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) have been ordered to submit separate reports in this regard to the HC by January 9 next year.

The HC ordered the CID and BFIU to explain in the reports what action they have taken to prevent money laundering and why they have failed to provide information and documents about money launderers to the Anti-Corruption Commission.

The bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice AKM Zahirul Huq came up with directive during the hearing on two separate rules issued over taking action against the Bangladeshi nationals who purchased properties abroad through money laundering.

One of the rules was issued on November 22 last year following reports punished in The Daily Star, Prothom Alo, Janakantha and Bangladesh Pratidin on Bangladeshi nationals who bought prime properties abroad with laundered money.

Another rule was issued on February 28 following a writ petition filed by lawyers Abdul Qaium Khan and Subir Nandi Das on February 1.

Lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan appeared for ACC while Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik represented the state.